Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the community center, mirroring the storm brewing inside Daniel. His shoulders slumped as he waited, the plastic chair digging into his back. Years. He'd spent years thinking about Sarah, picturing this reunion. When she finally walked in, her face lit up, a genuine smile crinkling the corners of her eyes. "Daniel?" she asked, her voice vibrant. He managed a weak nod. She looked… different. More polished. He reached out to offer a hug, his arm a lead weight, and she stepped back, a flicker of uncertainty in her gaze.

"So, where do you know me from?" she inquired, her voice polite, almost distant. The air seemed to thicken around him. His carefully constructed smile faltered. He opened his mouth, but only a small sound escaped. He felt a deep ache in his chest, a hollow space expanding. Sarah was a stranger. He swallowed hard.

The rain intensified.