Gemotions

A restless energy hummed beneath Leo's skin. He paced his cramped apartment, unable to sit still. He'd just gotten a message from "Stardust," the online gamer he’d been strategizing with for months: “I’m at the arcade on Elm Street. Come find me?” The arcade! He hadn't been to one in ages. A shiver ran down his spine. He ran a hand through his hair, already mentally rehearsing opening lines.

He grabbed his jacket, fumbling with the zipper. The air outside was crisp, invigorating. Every streetlamp seemed brighter than usual. He quickened his pace, almost jogging, his gaze darting from shadow to shadow.

The fluorescent lights of the arcade practically assaulted his eyes. He scanned the crowded room, his vision sharpening. Where was Stardust? He felt a sudden burst of anticipation and then… the sight of her, a familiar face, a girl he knew from school.