Gemotions

The incessant tapping of his foot against the floorboards filled Oliver's ears, a rhythmic counterpoint to the racing thoughts in his head. He tried to read, but the words blurred before his eyes. He had to be doing something, anything, other than sitting still.

He was going to see Chloe. They were to discuss the trip to the beach they took. He remembered the feel of the sand between his toes, the warmth of the sun, Chloe's infectious laughter. He smiled at the memory, a comforting shield against the unease.

Chloe was there. Oliver started to tell her about the trip. "You were so scared."

"I was not scared, you were!"

The world seemed to spin. Oliver felt a growing sense of disconnection, a feeling like he'd stepped into a distorted mirror. The memory felt less like a shared experience and more like a carefully crafted illusion.