Gemotions

She drummed her fingers on the chipped tabletop, the rhythmic tapping a futile attempt to occupy her mind. The diner buzzed around her – the clatter of plates, the murmur of conversations, the sizzle of the grill. But nothing could pierce the thick fog of restlessness that had settled over her. She'd been staring out the window for what felt like hours, watching the mundane parade of passing cars.

Then, a sudden wave of sound. The unmistakable opening riff of her song erupted from the speakers, blasting from a nearby cafe. It was a cover, a slightly faster tempo, but undeniably hers. A wave of irritation washed over her. She pushed her chair back, the screech loud in the otherwise bustling diner.