Gemotions

Rain hammered against the windows of the coffee shop, mirroring the frantic drumming in Amelia's chest. She smoothed down her already perfect blazer, a nervous habit that had intensified since the disastrous meeting at the marketing agency this morning. Across the small table, Liam, her childhood confidant, looked at her with a polite, yet blank, expression. “So, Amelia… it’s been a while, hasn’t it?” he said, his voice pleasant but distant. The words hit her like a physical blow. He didn't recognize her. The countless hours spent building forts, the scraped knees, the shared secrets whispered under starry skies – all seemingly erased from his memory. She swallowed hard, the lump in her throat making it difficult to breathe.