Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the coffee shop, mirroring the storm inside Elara. She’d come here, seeking solace in the anonymity, a quiet corner to disappear. Then the music started, a familiar melody, a song she’d penned years ago, now echoing through the cafe. It was her song, or at least, it *had* been. A young woman, voice clear as a bell, was singing it. Elara’s breath hitched. Her hand tightened on the lukewarm coffee cup, knuckles white. The words, *her* words, now felt distant, like memories from a life that wasn't hers anymore.

The barista called out, "Another latte for the performer?" The words sliced into her. That singer. That stranger. How could she carry that song so lightly? Elara’s eyes flickered down to her shaking hands. She wanted to bolt, to escape the sound, the echoes of a past she couldn't outrun. Each note was a tiny shard of glass, piercing her chest.