Gemotions

Liam stared at his reflection, the bathroom mirror reflecting his apprehension. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes a little wider than usual. He had a date – a real, in-person date – with "Cyberpunk_Girl," his online pal of nearly a year. They'd bonded over their shared love of retro video games, yet she'd just moved here.

He fiddled with his tie, pulling it too tight and then loosening it. He couldn't shake the feeling of being off-kilter, like the world was slightly out of focus. Every creak of the old house seemed amplified, every shadow elongated in the dim hallway. He glanced at the clock; it was time to go.

He imagined her, the way she typed, the clever things she said. Would she be what he imagined? Would she even like him in person? A cold knot formed in his stomach, constricting him as he left the apartment. He wished he'd chosen a less crowded cafe to meet her, the bustling atmosphere already making him feel claustrophobic.