Gemotions

The sleek, modern furniture of the lobby was a stark contrast to the old, comfortable armchair of her childhood home, where she’d spend hours curled up with a book, the pages smelling of dust and ink. Sophia rubbed her hands together, a shiver running through her.

She remembered the feeling of security and warmth, the gentle crackling of the fireplace, the way the sunlight would stream through the window onto the floor. It was a haven, a place where everything felt right.

Her friend, Ethan, walked in, his face tight with concentration. She found herself wanting to laugh, to share a secret with him, like when they were kids. It all seemed so long ago, yet so recent.