Gemotions

He found himself avoiding her. He hadn’t returned her calls. He’d made excuses to cancel their usual weekend plans. The news of her relocation to California had left him reeling, and he could barely stand the thought of seeing her. The news had sunk in, a heavy weight in his chest.

He caught a glimpse of her from across the street. She was standing outside a coffee shop, laughing, talking animatedly with a group of friends. She looked happy, radiant. He quickly ducked behind a parked car, the sudden movement causing his heart to race.

He couldn't bring himself to face her, to feign enthusiasm, to pretend to be okay with her impending departure. He stayed hidden, watching her from the shadows until she finally disappeared around the corner. The silence, now, was a vast, echoing emptiness.