Gemotions

"Great," Michael muttered, staring at the flashing red number above the door. He was in the lift with Emily, who he had been quietly observing for the past few months. He felt his palms begin to sweat. He hated this.

Emily, bless her heart, was handling it with characteristic calm. She pulled out a small book from her bag, and started to read. He found himself watching her, wanting to know what she was reading. He was mesmerized by her. Her every movement, every turn of the page, held him captive.

He felt an inexplicable urge to say something, to bridge the space between them. "What are you reading?" he blurted out, instantly regretting it. She looked up, her eyes meeting his. He felt his cheeks flush.

The awkwardness vanished. They spoke for what felt like mere seconds, but was in reality, a full hour. The world narrowed to just the two of them. The world outside the lift did not exist, and he felt a joy he'd never experienced.