Gemotions

He’d changed, Michael thought, staring at Emily across the breakroom table. He knew her, those freckles gave it away. But she looked… different. Smoother, maybe? The memory of his scrawny, awkward teenage self, desperately trying to impress her during Capture the Flag, hit him like a physical blow.

He shifted in his chair, suddenly finding the fluorescent lights above unbearable. The way she was laughing with Sarah, their effortless camaraderie, was a painful contrast to the way he remembered their interactions.

He considered mentioning the camp, the shared history, the late-night campfire singalongs, but the words felt lodged in his throat. Instead, he took a large gulp of lukewarm coffee, hoping to appear nonchalant.