Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the coffee shop, mirroring the storm brewing inside Leo. He watched her across the small table, her bright laughter a harsh sound against the low hum of conversation. "So, what do you do?" she asked, her eyes crinkling at the corners. He opened his mouth, but the words felt thick and heavy in his throat. He’d rehearsed this meeting a hundred times in his head, imagined the joyous reunion, the shared memories. Now, all he felt was this crushing weight in his chest.

He took a slow, shallow breath. "I'm a… lawyer." He forced a smile, the muscles in his face aching with the effort. She nodded, her expression politely interested. He wanted to shout, to scream about the treehouse, the scraped knees, the endless summer days. But the words were caught, strangled by the unfamiliar politeness between them.

She took a sip of her latte, her gaze drifting around the cafe. He traced the rim of his own untouched coffee cup, the ceramic cold against his fingertips. The world felt muffled, distant. He felt like he was drowning in a sea of forgotten years.