Gemotions

The news landed like a lead weight in Maya's stomach. Across the country? Across the country! Liam, her Liam, was leaving. She stared at the moving boxes already piled in his living room, a sour taste coating her tongue.

“When did you even decide this?” The words came out sharper than she intended. She picked at a loose thread on his sofa, feigning casual interest in its structural integrity. His smile faltered slightly.

He launched into an excited explanation about career opportunities and a fresh start. Maya found herself fiddling with her phone, the vibrant colors of the Instagram app mocking her with its normalcy. She didn't share his enthusiasm. She hated this.