Gemotions

The old photo album felt heavier than usual in Amelia's lap. Dust motes danced in the late afternoon sunbeams slicing through her living room window, illuminating the faded smiles on the glossy pages. Liam, her best friend since kindergarten, was plastered all over these photos. There he was, grinning goofily at his high school graduation, arm slung around her shoulders. She traced her finger over his face, a sudden ache in her chest.

He'd been so sure of himself lately, constantly regaling her with tales of his high-powered executive job. International travel, important meetings, the whole nine yards. All a carefully constructed façade, she'd learned that morning. The reality? He worked at a small, rather drab accounting firm.

A tremor ran through her as she closed the album, a phantom echo of their shared history. She pictured him, his laugh, his easy way of making anyone smile, and felt a profound welling of something akin to sadness within her.