Gemotions

Rain hammered against the windows of the coffee shop, mirroring the frantic drumming in Amelia's chest. She traced patterns on the condensation, the warmth of the latte doing little to thaw the icy knot in her stomach. Across the small table, Liam, her childhood confidant, laughed at something the barista had said. His eyes, once so readily meeting hers, now flitted over her, landing on her, but not *seeing* her. The casual greeting – “Hey, what's up?” – felt like a physical blow. The way he leaned back in his chair, gesturing animatedly, felt as though a chasm had formed between them. The old stories, the secret jokes, the shared dreams… gone. He acted like she was a complete stranger. It felt like she was trapped in an invisible cage.