Gemotions

The cafe buzzed with Friday night chatter. Amelia smoothed down the skirt of her dress, a movement she repeated a few times as she waited. She'd chosen the outfit with care, wanting to project an image of effortless elegance. A waiter placed a latte in front of her. She took a tiny sip, the warmth not quite reaching her chest. A familiar figure finally emerged from the crowd and she felt her cheeks flush. "Hey, Liam!" she called, her voice a little too loud.

Liam's face lit up, a genuine smile spreading across his features. "Amelia! Great to see you." He pulled up a chair. But as he looked at her, his expression shifted, a flicker of confusion crossing his brow. "Have we… met before?"

Amelia's smile faltered. The room seemed to dim slightly. She suddenly felt the need to apologize for something, though she didn’t know what. "Oh, um, probably. We were, uh, inseparable when we were kids. You used to build forts in my backyard." She trailed off, suddenly captivated by the intricate pattern on her coffee cup.

He frowned, tapping a finger on his chin. "I don’t recall that at all. Are you sure?"