Gemotions

The invitation to the gallery opening still felt heavy in Amelia's hand. Liam, her best friend since kindergarten, had always been so... flamboyant. He'd described his job as “Artistic Liaison,” which sounded fancy enough to explain the expensive suits and the late nights. Now, standing here, watching him practically leap away from a woman who’d called him “David,” she felt a knot tighten in her stomach.

The gallery itself, filled with minimalist sculptures and hushed whispers, suddenly seemed to vibrate with a discordant energy. Amelia excused herself from the conversation she was in, making her way towards the restrooms. The polished chrome and flickering fluorescent lights did little to soothe her mounting unease.

She splashed cold water on her face, staring at her reflection. She realized, for the first time, how little she actually knew about Liam's life. Had he ever mentioned a woman named David?

Returning to the gallery, she found Liam cornered by a group of people. He was gesturing wildly, his smile strained. Amelia took a deep breath, and walked towards him. "Liam," she said, her voice sounding strangely tight even to her own ears. "Can we talk outside for a moment?"