Gemotions

The concert hall seemed enormous, echoing with the sounds of the orchestra tuning. His palms were slick with sweat. He’d practiced this meeting in his head a hundred times, imagining a joyous embrace. He saw her, across the crowded foyer, and took a deep breath. "Hey, Maya! It's David!" he called, trying to keep his voice from trembling.

She turned, her expression blank. She stepped closer, squinting slightly. "David?" she repeated, her voice polite, but distant. "I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met."

His carefully constructed facade began to crumble. He felt a sudden urge to flee, to disappear into the anonymity of the crowd. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to remain still. He swallowed hard and said, "We were best friends. We used to build elaborate Lego castles together, remember? We were inseparable.”

She shook her head gently. "I'm so sorry. The name doesn't ring a bell." A wave of mortification washed over him.