Gemotions

The vinyl record crackled as the needle dropped, filling the room with the familiar melody. Clara hummed along, the lyrics tumbling effortlessly from her memory. She felt a welling of something within her, a pull towards a different time. She saw Rowan across the crowded bookstore, her heart skipped a beat, still remembering the way she looked in high school.

She hurried toward Rowan, a wave of anticipation washing over her. "Rowan? Clara. Clara Bellweather. Remember the band? We used to..."

Rowan frowned, tilting her head slightly. "I don't think so." She offered a polite smile. "Sorry."

Clara stood frozen, the music seeming to fade into the background. She felt a strange disconnect, like a ghost, fading into the crowd, the vibrancy of the bookstore dimming. She wanted to yell and demand Rowan to remember all of the music and the parties, the life they shared. Instead, she just turned around and walked away.