Gemotions

The cafe buzzed with the Saturday morning rush. Sunlight sliced through the window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Amelia, mid-sip of her latte, felt the world tilt slightly as Daniel, across the small, mismatched table, pulled out a photo. It was a picture of him, smiling broadly, holding hands with…her. Or, rather, *she* felt sure it was her. The same chipped nail polish, the same ridiculous, oversized sunglasses she’d worn on their picnic date. His expression was one of such clear adoration, and now…it was directed at someone else entirely. Her breath hitched. The floor seemed to vanish beneath her.

“Is… is that you?” Daniel asked, his voice hesitant. Her response? A barely audible, “Yes.” She reached a hand, automatically, to touch the picture, tracing the outline of her own smiling face. A coldness settled in her stomach, despite the warmth of the coffee cup clutched in her trembling hands.

The picture was from their trip to the botanical gardens. That glorious day. She had gushed about the rare orchids. He had seemed so captivated. Now, her head swam. The world had gone off-kilter, like a ship caught in a rogue wave.