The car keys jangled in Leo's hand as he practically vibrated with eagerness. He could hardly contain himself, the anticipation building with each passing second. He pulled up in front of the diner, his heart pounding a quick rhythm against his ribs. He pictured the entire landscape, every single detail.
He burst through the diner door, scanning the room for Mia. The scent of coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air, but he barely noticed. He saw her at a booth in the corner, her back to him.
"Mia!" he exclaimed, a wide grin splitting his face. He'd imagined the warmth of the day, the laughter, the shared secrets whispered over milkshakes. "You won't believe what happened! I got the tickets!"
Mia turned, and her face registered surprise. "Tickets? For what?" Leo’s smile faltered. He pictured a stadium, the roaring crowd, the energy of the game.
“The concert! Remember? We bought the tickets last month. It's tonight!” he said, bewildered. But Mia seemed genuinely confused. “Leo, we haven’t been to a concert in years. I thought you were talking about the pottery class. It’s starting today!” Leo's excitement began to fade. A strange hollowness began to fill him.