Gemotions

The old tree, the one where they’d first carved their names, stood strong. The breeze rustled the leaves, but the air felt stagnant, heavy. He was here, looking at her, his expression a polite question. The words he spoke were polite too: "I don't believe we've met." A wave of a peculiar sensation rose up through her.

She had pictured this reunion for years. She had built a fortress of memories around them. And now… nothing. She had the distinct feeling of being on a stage and realizing there was no audience.

Her throat constricted. Her eyes burned. The sun felt too intense on her skin. She had to walk away, to get away from him.

The very ground beneath her feet seemed to shift.