Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the coffee shop, mirroring the storm brewing inside Leo. He'd seen her, Lily, across the crowded room, her laughter echoing like a lost melody. He'd approached, heart hammering against his ribs, only to be met with a polite, vacant smile. "I'm sorry," she'd said, brow furrowed in a moment of confusion, "I don't think we've met." He'd stammered something about it being a long time. She'd nodded, said something about enjoying the rain, and turned away. Now, staring into his cold latte, the world felt tilted. He squeezed his eyes shut, as if that could somehow rewind the encounter and conjure the shared secrets of treehouses and scraped knees.