Gemotions

Maya clutched the worn leather of her purse so hard her knuckles were white. The café was buzzing, but the noise felt distant, muffled. Across the small table, Liam, her best friend, was beaming. He’d just announced he was leaving, relocating for a job offer across the country. She nodded, offering a weak smile, but inside, a coldness spread.

Her gaze darted around the room, cataloging every detail. The exits, the faces, the potential threats. Every detail felt vital. She needed to know everything, every possible angle. "So... when are you thinking of leaving?" she finally asked, her voice a little too sharp.

Liam smiled, oblivious to her internal state. Maya forced herself to take a slow sip of her lukewarm coffee, carefully placing the cup back on the table, as if it were a delicate bomb. The air felt thin.