Gemotions

Rain lashed against the window of the coffee shop, mirroring the storm brewing inside Thomas. He'd been looking forward to this, a quiet moment to himself. Until *she* walked in. Brenda, the girl who used to delight in tripping him in the hallways, the girl who called him 'four eyes' until his ears rang with the name, the girl who now wore a nametag proclaiming her a therapist.

He watched her order a chamomile tea with honey, her movements graceful and composed. A wave of heat crept up his neck.

He considered leaving, but his stomach rumbled. He needed food. He needed caffeine. He’d face his demons. He rose and walked toward the counter, intentionally bumping into her.

“Oh, sorry,” he mumbled, his voice tight. Her eyes met his, and a flicker of something unreadable – recognition, maybe? – passed across her face. He just wanted to be away from her presence.