Gemotions

The chipped mug warmed Amelia’s hands, but did nothing to soothe the tremor in her fingers. Sunlight slanted across the kitchen table, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air, each a tiny, perfect world. Liam’s voice, a casual, ‘Hey, you busy?’ had felt like a punch to the gut. Across the miles, he’d told her about the job offer, the chance to finally leave this town. And the way her stomach clenched now felt identical to the first time she'd ridden a rollercoaster.

She hadn't answered him then, just stared at the phone. Now, she focused on stirring the sugar into her coffee, round and round, watching the granules dissolve in a slow, sweet descent. The kitchen, usually bustling with shared laughter, now felt vast and echoing.

Liam's apartment, a few blocks away, suddenly felt like a distant continent. She pictured him, his lopsided grin, the way he always knew how to make her laugh, and the weight on her chest deepened. This empty silence was more deafening than any conversation.