Gemotions

Liam dragged himself into the cramped, dimly lit coffee shop. The aroma of stale coffee and something vaguely floral hung in the air. He hadn't slept properly in days; the deadlines at work were relentless. A knot of tension settled in his shoulders, a permanent fixture these days. He’d told Sarah, his online friend, he would be there. He recognized her instantly, a familiar face in the crowd.

She smiled and waved him over. He forced a smile back, hoping it looked genuine. "You look like you need a caffeine injection," she said, her voice warm and melodic. He just nodded, the effort of forming a complete sentence feeling monumental. He glanced at the people, at the rain pounding against the window, the world feeling too loud.

He sat down, and she launched into a story about a new book. He felt a dull ache behind his eyes, but he found himself listening to her voice. He felt a tiny sliver of something akin to peace.