Gemotions

The photograph lay between them on the table. A faded image of two teenagers laughing on a beach. David stared at the picture, a cold wave washing over him. Liam, his best friend since childhood, was describing the day, the waves, the stolen ice cream. Something was amiss.

He felt the muscles in his jaw clench, the skin on his face tightening. He couldn’t shake the sense of unreality that had gripped him since Liam had started talking.

Liam pointed at the picture. “Remember the seagull? It swooped down and almost got your ice cream!” He laughed, a carefree sound that grated on David's nerves.

David studied the photo. He remembered being miserable that day. He recalled a bitter argument, a harsh word, a secret held tightly. He didn't remember the seagull.

“Yeah,” he mumbled, his voice flat. He felt a profound sense of isolation, a chilling awareness of the vast divide that separated their memories. He had to be cautious, he needed to tread carefully.