Gemotions

The headline blared from the tablet screen: "La Bella Luna to Close Doors." Maya felt a surge of heat flood her face. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the silence of the library. She quickly glanced around to make sure nobody had noticed her gasp.

She took a shaky breath, trying to regain some semblance of composure. It had always been the place for her and her best friend, Sarah. Their spot, a cozy booth near the window. The place where they shared secrets, dreams, and endless plates of pasta. She needed to speak to Sarah, immediately.

She stood up abruptly, knocking over her chair. It clattered to the floor, the sound echoing in the quiet room. She ignored it. She needed to reach Sarah. She fumbled with her phone, her fingers clumsy and unresponsive. She felt an overwhelming need to prevent this, to somehow… reverse time.