Gemotions

The cafe buzzed, a symphony of clinking ceramic and chattering voices. Amelia traced patterns on her condensation-ringed iced coffee, a manic energy coursing through her. She'd spent a week crafting this reunion, picturing Maya's face, the shared laughter, the flood of memories. Maya’s eyes, though, were a polite blank slate. “Oh, it’s… nice to meet you, Amelia,” she had said, offering a hesitant smile. Amelia felt the air become electric.

"Do you remember the treehouse?" Amelia blurted out, her voice a touch too loud. Her leg bounced, a frantic drumbeat against the floor. Maya's brow furrowed. "Treehouse? I don't..." She trailed off, and Amelia felt a strange tightening in her chest, a pressure building. This couldn't be happening.

“We built it together! Near the creek? With the secret code?” Amelia leaned forward, desperate for a spark of recognition, a flicker of something, *anything*. Maya shook her head, apologetic. Amelia felt the need to flee, to run, to scream into the endless void.