Gemotions

The movie theater was dimly lit, but the scene in front of him felt illuminated by a spotlight. Liam was regaling the others with a description of their first date. He described the romantic atmosphere of the restaurant, the charming conversation, and the shared laughter. Everything was perfect.

Sarah remembered the evening as stilted and awkward. The restaurant was noisy, the conversation strained. She had spent the evening wishing she was anywhere else. The way Liam was describing it felt like a betrayal.

She shifted in her seat, feeling a coldness spread through her limbs. She crossed her arms, trying to suppress the tremor in her hands. The popcorn felt like sawdust in her mouth. She barely heard the movie’s dialogue, her focus was fixed on Liam’s animated face, a mask of happy memories she didn't share.