He practically galloped to the rendezvous point, his boots drumming a fast beat on the pavement. He was brimming with a feeling that made his skin tingle, every muscle in his body felt loose and ready. He felt light enough to float, eager to share their carefully arranged plan. He practically saw it all play out in his head.
He spotted Emily already sitting at their designated table, under the old oak tree in the park. He rushed over, grinning widely. "Emily! Are you ready?!" he practically shouted. This was the moment. He had constructed an image of their shared future.
Emily looked up, her expression a mix of confusion and mild annoyance. "Ready for what, Mark?" she asked. He expected a grin, a shared look, a burst of delight. But none of that came.
"The escape room! The new one, the pirate theme! We booked it weeks ago!" he replied, his grin beginning to wane. He imagined the puzzles, the camaraderie, the sweet victory when they would succeed.
Emily frowned. “Mark, we were supposed to meet to study for the exam. Remember? You said this was the last week before the test.” His jaw dropped. A slow, chilling sensation spread through him. The sky seemed to dim.