Gemotions

The cafe buzzed with the Saturday morning rush, the aroma of coffee a bitter mockery against the sour taste in Leo's mouth. He gripped the chipped mug so hard his knuckles were white. Across from him, Maya laughed, a light, tinkling sound he hadn't heard in… well, a lifetime ago, it felt like. "So, anyway, I’m thinking of moving to Portland," she said, her eyes bright, oblivious.

His jaw tightened. He wanted to shatter the mug. Portland? Like the place she'd always dreamed of with him, back in the treehouse? He slammed the mug down. The sound echoed in the sudden silence. "You don't… remember?" The words rasped out, a choked whisper.

Maya blinked, a flicker of confusion crossing her features. "Remember what?" The casual question was a slap in the face. He pushed back his chair, the legs scraping against the tile. "This is absurd." He felt the blood pounding in his ears, a relentless drumbeat. He turned and walked out, the bell above the door a jarring chime as he exited.