Gemotions

The flickering neon sign of the all-night diner cast a sickly yellow glow on Liam’s face. He kept checking his phone, each glance a frantic stab at the screen. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he rubbed his palms against his jeans. He hadn't slept in two days, not properly.

He’d recognized the profile picture instantly. Sarah. The online friend he’d confessed everything to, the one who’d listened to his anxieties for months. Now, she was apparently sitting two booths away, sipping coffee, her back to him.

Liam’s chest tightened. He almost choked on the lukewarm water he was trying to swallow. He took a long, shaky breath and forced himself to focus on the chipped Formica tabletop.