Gemotions

The familiar scent of brine and fish hung heavy in the air. Sarah stood on the pier, watching the sunset paint the sky in fiery hues. She'd travelled back to her seaside hometown specifically to reconnect with David, the boy she’d shared her first kiss with, right here, on this very pier. He was standing a few feet away, talking to someone. She took a deep breath and approached, a smile plastered on her face.

“David! Remember me?” she called, her voice a bit too loud. He turned, his features softening in what she assumed was recognition, but then he squinted as if seeing her for the first time.

"Sarah? Right? You look familiar." His tone was polite, distant. The smile on her face faltered.

"Sarah… Miller? From Lighthouse Bay? We used to spend every summer here. Remember the lighthouse? Remember my dog, Sparky?" She watched him shake his head, a muscle twitching in his cheek. He was looking at her like she was some random person. She felt a pressure building behind her eyes. "I’m sorry, it’s not clicking." The words were almost a dismissal. She felt a sharp, cutting pain in her chest.