Gemotions

Maya practically vibrated with energy, bouncing on the balls of her feet as she waited outside the coffee shop. The notification on her phone, a simple "Hey, I'm at the same place!" had sent her into overdrive. She hadn't slept a wink last night after discovering that Liam, her witty online companion of two years, actually lived in the city. Now, the anticipation was a fizzy current running through her veins.

She spotted him then, across the crowded patio. Liam. Tall, with a mop of unruly brown hair and the same crooked grin she knew so well from countless video calls. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drummer in a solo performance.

"Liam?" she blurted out, her voice a little too loud, but she couldn't help herself. She felt a lightness, like she might float away. He looked up, his eyes widening. A smile bloomed on his face.