Gemotions

The words hung in the air, suspended like dust motes in a sunbeam. "Montana?" Mark repeated, his brow furrowed. He felt the blood drain from his face. They were in the middle of a bustling coffee shop, the air thick with the aroma of roasted beans and the chatter of strangers. But suddenly, it felt like he was alone in a vacuum.

He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture he hadn’t realized he was making. He looked at Chloe, at her shining eyes and the excited flush on her cheeks. She was radiating happiness, but for Mark, the world seemed to be tilting on its axis. He couldn’t process it, the information failing to compute. He just stared at her, his mouth slightly ajar.

The barista called out a name, and he jumped, startled. He glanced around, trying to re-orient himself, but the reality of the situation was a heavy weight, pressing down on him.