Gemotions

The coffee shop door chimed merrily as Maya bounced inside, the scent of roasting beans a warm welcome. A grin stretched across her face, lighting up her features. She practically skipped towards the counter, her fingers already fumbling for her wallet. This was it. Today, she'd finally be meeting Alex. After a year of late-night chats and inside jokes, she was vibrating with the anticipation of seeing him in person.

The barista, a woman with kind eyes and a name tag that read “Chloe,” smiled at Maya's energy. "The usual?" she asked, already starting the espresso machine. Maya nodded enthusiastically. She spotted a figure near the back, a laptop open, and her heart gave a little flutter.

A moment later, she realized the person was not Alex, and her shoulders slumped. Her feet felt heavy as she went to wait at the pick up. She took a deep breath, telling herself that he might be late. Her excitement was a small, bubbling pot, threatening to boil over.