Gemotions

The world felt muted. Everything, even the vibrant autumn leaves swirling outside the library window, seemed to exist just beyond her reach. Sarah sat at a table, the open book in front of her a meaningless collection of ink. She couldn't focus; the words swam before her eyes.

Her phone vibrated. A message from Mark. He was nearby, and wanted to meet up for a coffee. He was planning to take his new girlfriend. It had been years since he'd seen Sarah, and she couldn't help but wonder if he'd remember their treehouse adventures, their shared secrets whispered under the summer stars.

She met Mark at the cafe. He introduced her to his girlfriend, and Sarah forced a smile. Mark didn’t show any recognition when he looked at her. They talked about her. He acted like he'd never met Sarah before.