Gemotions

The reunion hall blazed with harsh fluorescent lights, and Sarah felt the sweat prickle her skin. Liam greeted her with a warm hug, but when he recounted stories of their shared youth, it was as if he’d been raised by an entirely different family.

He spoke of adventures Sarah had never participated in, places she’d never visited. His eyes held no recognition when she mentioned their shared secret – a hidden message buried in the schoolyard. This was not the Liam she knew.

She forced a smile, the muscles in her face aching. "That's… quite a memory you have," she managed, her voice strained. She subtly shifted her weight, feeling the hard floor beneath her.

Liam laughed, oblivious to the turmoil brewing within her. "Yeah, I've always had a knack for remembering things." He gestured expansively, his words washing over her like a foreign language. Sarah found herself increasingly focused on the pattern of the tablecloth, a desperate attempt to ground herself.