Gemotions

"So, that's it then?" Liam asked, his voice flat. He leaned against the brick wall of the coffee shop, arms crossed, avoiding eye contact with Maya. The news had dropped like a lead weight, squashing all the lightness from the afternoon. He stared at his feet, scuffing the worn soles of his sneakers against the pavement. The aroma of roasting coffee, usually a comfort, now felt cloying, a reminder of the shared rituals that were about to end.

He shoved his hands in his pockets, feeling the rough texture of the denim. The knot in his chest tightened. He wanted to argue, to demand she stay, but he knew it was pointless. He just wished the ground would swallow him whole.