Gemotions

The morning sun spilled across Maya's face, nudging her awake. Stretching, she arched her back, feeling the satisfying pop of her spine. A giggle escaped her lips. Today was the day she and Liam were finally going to try that new escape room, the one with the complex riddles and elaborate puzzles. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and hummed as she pulled on her favorite jeans.

Later, over coffee, Liam recounted the disastrous pizza they had ordered that day three years ago, when they first became friends. He insisted the cheese had been congealed and the crust burnt, a culinary catastrophe. Maya stared at him, bewildered. She remembered it perfectly: a golden, crispy crust, perfectly melted mozzarella. "Liam," she began slowly, "that was the *best* pizza. Remember how we laughed until our sides ached?" He just gave a small shrug, his face unreadable.