Gemotions

The stuffy air of the antique shop barely registered as Liam navigated the aisles. He spotted Olivia browsing a shelf of vintage postcards. This was it. The moment he'd been waiting for. He approached, heart thudding in his chest.

"Olivia? Hey, it’s Liam. From the old neighborhood? Remember playing hide-and-seek in the woods?" He watched her carefully. She looked up slowly, a polite, almost cautious, expression settling on her face.

"Liam...?" she repeated, a question in her tone. "I'm sorry, I don't think I do." The words felt like a physical blow.

"We were practically glued at the hip!" he exclaimed, his voice sharp and rising. "We built the treehouse. We were the best of friends." He watched her face, searching for a flicker of understanding, but finding none. She just shook her head, a slight frown marring her perfect features. He felt an intense heat blooming in his chest. He turned and walked away, his shoulders stiff with tension.