Gemotions

The cafe buzzed with the Saturday morning rush, each clatter of cups a sharp punctuation mark in her already frazzled state. Amelia watched the rain streak down the window, blurring the city outside. A text message, a simple "Running late! XOXO," had sent a tremor through her. He'd been late before, but today, her stomach clenched. She traced patterns on the condensation with a fingertip, the action oddly soothing.

The chime of the bell above the door made her jump. A man, slightly taller than her, with the same unruly brown hair and a sheepish grin she'd come to adore, was weaving through the tables. He stopped short when he saw her. His smile flickered, replaced by a confused frown.

"Amelia? What... what are *you* doing here?" His voice, usually warm and comforting, now held a strange edge. She felt a prickling heat rise on her neck.

He was staring past her, at someone else. A woman with fiery red hair, standing behind her, a matching look of bewildered surprise etched on her face.