Gemotions

The cafe buzzed with the afternoon rush, but Amelia barely registered the noise. She clutched the lukewarm latte in both hands, knuckles white, staring at Liam across the small, round table. He was smiling, animatedly describing his new job, a genuine enthusiasm lighting up his face. “...and the team is just amazing, truly! We’re all really close…” He paused, tilting his head. “So, what have you been up to?” Amelia felt a strange flutter in her chest, a nervous tremor. She’d spent weeks, *months*, planning this impromptu meeting, crafting the perfect narrative. Now, the words snagged in her throat.

“Oh,” she finally croaked, her voice thin. “Just… not much.” She took a tiny sip of her coffee, the bitterness doing little to cut through the sudden dryness in her mouth. She wanted to tell him everything, the details of her life, her daily routine, her unfulfilled dreams. She wanted him to remember. She wanted to be remembered.

The weight in her stomach increased as he said, “You look familiar, though. Have we met before?” Amelia just shook her head. He had already moved onto another anecdote. She wished he'd look at her, really look.