Gemotions

The chipped mug warmed Amelia’s hands, but did nothing to soothe the chill creeping up her spine. Sunlight streamed into the cafe, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air, a scene of blissful normalcy. Across the small table, Liam recounted their high school trip to the coast, laughing about the time he'd lost his phone.

Amelia stared at him, her brow furrowed. That trip. She remembered a torrential downpour, the grey sky mirroring her own gloom as she’d huddled under a dripping awning, utterly miserable. Where was this glorious sunshine he was describing? She took a long, slow sip of her coffee, the bitter taste doing little to ground her. His cheerful recounting of the weekend felt like a foreign language.

"You don't remember any of that?" Liam asked, his smile faltering. He leaned forward, his expression softening with a hint of concern. Amelia just shook her head, feeling the warmth drain from her cheeks. The disconnect was a vast, silent gulf between them, a place where their memories diverged, utterly at odds.