Gemotions

The cafe door chimed, and a woman with vibrant pink hair walked in. Liam nearly choked on his latte. "Willow?" he stammered, voice suddenly thin. He’d known Willow online for two years, sharing everything from terrible puns to deep anxieties. He’d always pictured her in a small town, maybe in Oregon. Not, you know, across the street from his favorite bookstore.

His heart hammered against his ribs. He felt a sudden, dizzying urge to flee. He quickly hid behind the oversized menu, his fingers tightening around the paper.

She didn't immediately see him, instead heading towards the counter to order. He watched, unable to look away, as she laughed at something the barista said. It was her laugh, the one he knew so well from countless late-night voice calls.