Gemotions

The flickering neon sign of the all-night diner cast elongated shadows across Liam's face as he waited. His leg bounced a frantic rhythm against the cracked vinyl of the booth. He’d barely slept in days, the anticipation – or dread, he wasn’t sure which – gnawing at him. He kept replaying their chats in his head, the inside jokes, the shared frustrations. Now, here he was, about to see if the real person matched the digital persona.

His stomach clenched when the bell above the door chimed. He watched, breath hitched, as a figure entered, scanning the room. A hand went to their hair, a familiar gesture. His breath caught. It was her. The air in the diner felt suddenly thick, suffocating. He wanted to flee.

He fumbled for his coffee, burning his hand slightly. “Hey,” he croaked, his voice barely audible above the clatter of plates.