Gemotions

Maya traced circles on the condensation of her iced tea, the droplets threatening to merge and obscure the view of the bustling café. Liam had said, "I have some news," and her stomach had immediately lurched. He’d leaned forward, his usual vibrant smile dimmed slightly. Now, the words hung between them – "Moving to Seattle next month" – and the silence throbbed. She took a long, slow sip, the cold not registering. Her fingers felt numb, and the familiar warmth of the café seemed a world away.

“Wow,” she managed, her voice sounding brittle. She fidgeted with the straw. Sunlight sliced across the table, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air, a silent, chaotic ballet that mirrored the upheaval in her chest. Everything felt suddenly too bright, too loud. She needed to get out, to go somewhere quiet. The thought of Seattle, a city she'd never been to, felt like a physical weight, pressing down on her.