Gemotions

The park was exactly as she remembered it, except for the new playground equipment. Emily found Mark sitting on the same bench where they'd carved their initials. She’d always wanted to impress him, to show him how she had improved.

She'd bought a new dress, styled her hair, and practiced her smile.

“Mark?” she said, her voice hesitant.

He looked up, a blank expression on his face. "No, sorry," he said, turning back to his book. He had a nice book. He looked like he was doing well.

Emily felt a surge of frustration. She'd imagined this moment a thousand times. She wanted to yell, to scream. She had saved up for months to look this good for him, and now, he didn’t even recognize her. She wanted a reaction, she wanted him to know, to see. She turned and walked away, her shoulders stiff with unspoken desires.