Gemotions

The printer in the copy room whirred and spat out sheets of paper, a mundane sound that suddenly seemed significant. Liam stood frozen, listening to Maya. She was talking about Camp Skylark, a place that held a near mythic status in his own childhood. He'd never expected anyone else to know it, to *get* it.

His breath hitched as she described the annual talent show, the terrible skits, the triumphant feeling of performing on that rickety stage. He felt a flush of warmth creep up his cheeks. He noticed the way the sunlight caught her hair, the way she gesticulated as she spoke. He remembered the way he used to feel. She was describing his childhood.

He started to laugh, a genuine, joyful sound. “I was in that show!” he exclaimed, the words tumbling out. “I was terrible at juggling.”