Gemotions

The cafe buzzed with the afternoon rush. Liam watched from across the room as Sarah laughed, her head thrown back, at something the stranger across from her had said. He clenched his fist, the worn leather of his messenger bag digging into his palm. He'd been so sure, after all these years apart, that she would remember.

He’d rehearsed their reunion a thousand times in his head: a shy smile, a hesitant, "Sarah? Is that… you?" But the introduction had been flat, a simple, "Hi, Sarah," and the ensuing conversation had been even flatter, punctuated by her blank stares and polite smiles.

The stranger, a man with overly-bright teeth and a too-perfect haircut, leaned in close, and Sarah’s laughter echoed again. Liam slammed his laptop shut, the metallic clang a sharp sound in the otherwise muted atmosphere. He needed to get out.