Gemotions

"Wow," said the archaeologist, Liam, as he pulled a pristine, unopened bottle of soda from the capsule. He held it up to the sun, admiring the color, his face lit up with a childlike wonder.

The time capsule had been buried by a high school group during Liam's adolescence. He was the only one who didn't remember the event at all. All the other kids in his year had a connection, a shared history that excluded him.

Liam felt a tight knot in his throat. He forced a smile as the others began to reminisce, their laughter echoing around him. He feigned a sudden headache and made his excuses, hurrying away from the excavation site, the laughter chasing him through the park.