Gemotions

The antique clock in Amelia’s living room ticked with a slow, deliberate rhythm, each second stretching out like taffy. Across the small, cluttered coffee table, Liam fidgeted, his gaze darting from the floorboards to the ceiling. She’d known this was coming, a conversation long overdue. She’d mentally prepared, rehearsing a calm facade. Now, she simply listened.

He blurted out the news, a jumble of excitement and anxiety. California. Opportunity. A fresh start. Amelia felt a gentle ache in her chest, a subtle pressure she didn’t acknowledge, choosing instead to focus on the intricate design of the teacup in her hands.

“That’s… fantastic,” she finally offered, her voice even and steady. She took a slow sip, the warm liquid tracing a comforting path down her throat. "When are you leaving?"