Gemotions

The scent of stale takeout hung in the air, a testament to another week spent working late. Chloe stared at the overflowing trash can, the sight prompting a sinking feeling in her stomach. Her roommate, Ben, was pacing excitedly, describing a pet snake's potential terrarium.

Her shoulders slumped. The idea of tending to another creature, another need, felt exhausting. She picked at a loose thread on her jeans, her fingers clumsy and slow. The energy to simply be present felt like a struggle.

“I don’t know, Ben,” she finally said, her voice flat. "Is it really the best time?" The apartment felt smaller, the walls closing in, as Ben launched into a detailed explanation of snake diets and shed skin.