Gemotions

The phone vibrated insistently on the table. Maya ignored it, the sound grating on her nerves. She'd been about to order pizza when she’d seen it. Her friend, Chloe, was supposed to be at a conference. Instead, Maya spotted her on a live stream, giving a tour of a vintage bookstore.

Maya's fingers tightened into fists. She felt a burning sensation in her stomach. Chloe had always talked about the demanding hours, the high-pressure environment of her supposed job. The tour showed a completely different side of her friend, relaxed, and happy.

She let out a frustrated sigh, her shoulders slumped. Her carefully constructed schedule for the evening became irrelevant. She picked up her phone, ready to confront Chloe, her voice shaking slightly as she pressed the call button.