Gemotions

The invitation felt heavy in Elara’s hand. Liam, her best friend since kindergarten, was hosting a "Remember When?" bonfire. She swallowed, staring at the perfectly scripted calligraphy. The event revolved around recalling shared childhood memories. A cold knot formed in her stomach.

She considered feigning illness. She could easily text him at the last minute. The thought barely registered before she dismissed it. She had to go.

The bonfire crackled merrily as Liam regaled the group with tales of their youth. Then came the story. The one about the time they snuck into the abandoned amusement park. Liam spoke of daring escapades, triumphant laughter, and a shared feeling of exhilaration. Elara found herself shrinking back, her face burning. She remembered it differently. She remembered the terror. The locked gate. The panicked scramble back over the fence, scraping her knee. The way Liam had laughed, not at the fun, but at her.