Gemotions

The rain hammered against the bus window, mirroring the chaotic drumming in Maya’s chest. There she was, standing on the opposite platform, bathed in the harsh fluorescent glow of the train station. Chloe. After all these years. Maya couldn't quite believe it.

Chloe was gesturing animatedly at the phone pressed to her ear, her face a familiar, heart-stopping blend of earnestness and joy. Seeing her felt like a dream. Maya fought the urge to rush forward, to shout her name, to scream out her existence.

Her legs felt like lead weights. Her stomach did flips. She had to swallow, and swallow again, trying to push down the immense pressure in her chest. Everything had changed so much, yet everything felt exactly the same. They used to build entire worlds of fantasy, sitting in the very same station, waiting for trains to places they'd only imagined. Now, Chloe's world apparently didn't include *her*.