Gemotions

The cafe was too loud, a cacophony of clattering cups and shrill laughter. Sarah gripped her latte tighter, knuckles white against the paper. A text. From David. “Running late, traffic’s a beast, be there soon x.” She chewed on her lip, a nervous habit she hadn't realized she still had. The small table felt too small, the sunlight streaming in the window too bright. Her stomach churned. It wasn’t the lateness. It was the other text, from Mark, sent just moments before. Identical.

Her breath hitched. A prickle of heat spread across her face. This couldn't be real. David. Mark. Both claiming to be her boyfriend, both promising to arrive any minute. The air grew thick, suffocating. She fumbled with her phone, the screen smudged with fingerprints, and struggled to open a new message.

She wanted to scream.