She wasn't just talking about the marbles. Elias had been "stuck at base" in his real life lately—terrified of taking a new job offer because he might fail, staying in his safe zone while the world moved around him. He treated every setback like a personal insult rather than a mechanic of the journey.
Elias grunted, his eyes fixed on his blue marble, currently sitting three spaces away from his 'Home' row. He had been playing conservatively, avoiding risks, while Maya played like a chaotic whirlwind. aggravation
The board was a landscape of polished wood and precarious marble stacks, and for Elias, it was a minefield. Aggravation wasn’t just the name of the game; it was the precise emotion tightening his chest every time his younger sister, Maya, picked up the dice. She wasn't just talking about the marbles
Elias felt the heat rise to his neck. "That was completely unnecessary. You had another move that wouldn't have bumped me." Elias grunted, his eyes fixed on his blue
He moved back onto the board, a small smile tugging at his mouth. "Okay," he said. "Your turn. But don't get too comfortable—I'm eyeing that shortcut now."