Gemotions

He cleared his throat, a nervous habit that always irritated Sarah. "Hey, Sarah, remember that crazy summer camp?" He always had a way of sounding like a puppy.

Sarah froze, the coffee cup halfway to her lips. Camp Evergreen. The name itself summoned images of lukewarm cocoa and the incessant, grating sound of singalongs led by a particularly enthusiastic, irritating redhead named… oh, yes, it was David.

"David," she said, her voice betraying not a hint of warmth. It was more a dry statement, a factual recitation. He fidgeted, his gaze darting around the breakroom.

"Yeah! The hiking! The crafts! You were, uh, you were pretty good at the tie-dye, right?" The memory, she remembered well. A forced activity, all about getting along and being a team player.

Sarah took a slow sip of her coffee, the silence stretching between them. She knew exactly what tie-dye was, but now she would keep her mouth shut. She placed her cup on the counter, the clink sharp in the silence. “Funny you remember that,” she said, and turned away.