Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the community center, mirroring the storm brewing inside Chloe. She tapped her foot impatiently, the rhythmic sound echoing in the otherwise empty hall. She’d spent weeks preparing for this: the old photo album, the carefully chosen anecdotes, the emotional vulnerability she'd rarely allowed herself. Her childhood friend, Ben, was supposed to be here. He had said he remembered the reunion.

The door swung open, and a man strode in, his face etched with a look of, well, blankness. "Chloe?" he asked. She managed a strained smile. "Yes! Ben, it's so great to finally—" "I'm sorry, are you sure you have the right person? I've never lived here."

Her shoulders slumped. She wanted to scream. She had felt her chest tighten, and the muscles in her neck were rigid. A nervous giggle escaped her. This wasn't happening. This couldn’t be happening.