Gemotions

He had found her online, scrolling through profiles, a long shot. He had recognized her face instantly, but when he had finally managed to arrange a meeting, the outcome was worse than he'd feared. He sat across from Emily, his childhood friend, in a loud bar, the music making his ears ring.

"I'm sorry," she'd said, her voice laced with genuine confusion. "I don't...I don't remember any of this." He’d shown her pictures, told her stories. She remained polite but distant, her eyes darting around the bar as though she wished to be somewhere else. Now, he was staring at his empty glass, the ice melting into a puddle of water.

He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture he hadn’t even realized he was doing. The conversation felt like pulling teeth. He attempted small talk, but his words felt hollow, echoing the emptiness he felt inside.