Gemotions

He'd followed her to the local park, hoping for a casual encounter. He found her sitting on a bench, feeding the ducks. He lingered nearby, watching her. He knew he should have left it alone, but he couldn't.

He approached, his footsteps deliberately loud on the gravel path. "Sarah?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

She turned, her eyes widening slightly. “Oh, hi. Do I… know you?”

He felt a knot form in his stomach. He’d prepared for this, had crafted witty remarks to elicit the memory. Now, all he could feel was a crushing sensation, a painful pressure in his chest. He shoved his hands in his pockets, feeling the rough texture of the fabric against his skin. “It's… nothing,” he muttered, and turned, his strides quickly carrying him away. The ducks quacked, their noise mocking his retreat.