Gemotions

The dusty attic held more than forgotten memories; it held the remnants of a friendship fractured by a silly argument. Leo ran his finger along the spines of old books, avoiding eye contact with Chloe, who was arranging the trinkets in a display case. The shared childhood trip to the carnival, the cotton candy, the carousel ride, a night of fun, until it wasn't. They each claimed a different game had been their favorite. Now, he wondered how he’d let it come to this.

He picked up a tarnished silver locket, the metal cold against his skin. He wished he could go back and change his reaction.

“Chloe, I…” He hesitated, his voice catching in his throat. He just wanted to restore what had been lost.