Gemotions

The silence of the apartment felt suffocating, each tick of the clock amplifying her sense of isolation. She’d spent the day feeling sluggish, the energy reserves depleted. Even the thought of making dinner seemed like a monumental effort.

She found herself, as usual, reaching for her phone. A message from Michael, her online friend. He was a constant source of support and laughter. He seemed to know all her struggles, and he always knew how to make her smile. Tonight he had been describing the restaurant he was at. She suddenly realized she was familiar with the layout.

She quickly checked the location settings on their chat. She asked him a question, a deliberate probe. His response confirmed her suspicions. They lived in the same neighborhood. A feeling, unfamiliar and exciting, bloomed within her.