Gemotions

Rain streaked the windowpane, mirroring the way tears tracked down her cheeks. Sarah stared out at the gray cityscape, the familiar buildings looking alien and unwelcoming. For weeks, she'd felt this quiet ache, this heavy stillness that settled in her bones. The online friendship with Alex was the only bright spot in her world. His witty banter and genuine interest were a lifeline. She'd told him everything.

A notification popped up: "Hey, are you free to grab coffee sometime this week?" It was Alex. A jolt, a flicker of something close to joy, shot through her, quickly followed by the usual leaden feeling. She typed back a hesitant, "Maybe." Then, the address appeared in his next message. A café around the corner.

Her breath hitched. She scrolled back through their chat log, rereading every word. The shared jokes, the late-night talks, the virtual hand-holding through difficult times. It all felt different, now. She hadn't realized. He lived *there*. She pulled open the curtain. A cold dread seeped into her.