Gemotions

A knot twisted in Leo's stomach as he sat across from Emily at the coffee shop. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air, a stark contrast to the darkness settling within him. He kept drumming his fingers on the table, a restless habit he hadn’t realized he still had. Her eyes held no recognition, just a polite curiosity. "I'm sorry," she'd said, tilting her head. "The name doesn't ring a bell." He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture he hadn't used in years. All the effort, the planning, the sheer hope – all reduced to this empty space. He felt the life force draining out of him, leaving him feeling hollow.