Gemotions

The notification popped up, jolting her awake. She’d meant to text her best friend, detailing the disastrous date she’d just endured. Instead, the message had gone to her overbearing boss, Mr. Henderson. A knot formed in her throat.

She fumbled for her glasses, her hands trembling. The words on the screen blurred, mocking her. She pictured Mr. Henderson's booming laughter, the inevitable lectures, the judgment. She was trapped.

She curled up on the couch, pulling the blanket tighter, as if it could ward off the approaching storm. The room felt cold, the air thin. The world seemed to tilt on its axis.