Gemotions

Michael clutched his phone tighter, his knuckles white. The text had just arrived: “I'm at the coffee shop, by the window.” He knew “Echo” had just moved to town, and they’d bonded over shared frustrations about their old lives. Now, the reality was sinking in, and a knot formed in his stomach.

He swallowed hard, pushing through the heavy door. His gaze darted to each face, and his chest felt tight. The air felt thick. He finally spotted her – or him – by the window, a laptop open in front of them, looking right back at him.

Michael felt the sudden urge to flee, to disappear back into the anonymity of his own apartment. He took a hesitant step forward, unsure if his legs would carry him.