Gemotions

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the park as Sarah nervously adjusted her scarf. She’d been chatting with “Nova” for over a year, sharing everything from her favorite books to her deepest anxieties. Now, Nova was meeting her at the fountain. Sarah’s palms were slick.

A figure emerged from behind a cluster of trees, and Sarah's heart hammered against her ribs. She took a step back, instinctively. The person was tall, maybe a little too tall. Their face was obscured by the shadows of a large baseball cap.

“Hey,” a voice called out. Sarah's breath hitched. She should have picked a different spot. She should have just cancelled.

The person began to approach, and Sarah froze, unable to move.