Gemotions

The morning sun streamed through the blinds, painting stripes across Leo’s face. He vaulted out of bed, a grin already plastered on his face. He felt… *ready*. He’d been working late at the coffee shop for weeks, but this morning, the prospect of facing the day, of the sheer *possibility* of it, was exhilarating. He grabbed his running shoes, humming off-key, already envisioning the crisp air filling his lungs. Then, glancing at the laptop, he saw it. “The Baker’s Apprentice: A Love Story.” Oh.

Leo flipped it open, the weight of the moment pressing on him now. He skimmed the first few pages. There was his routine, his favorite mug, the way he always left his socks on the floor. It was all so…him. He felt a weird, fluttery feeling in his stomach. He pictured Maya, hunched over the keyboard, her tongue poking out in concentration, and chuckled. This was going to be fun.