Gemotions

The neon glow of the arcade cast long shadows as Ben stood frozen, his eyes glued to the game screen. He’d confided in "RetroRacer," sharing his love of classic video games, his frustrations with his overbearing family, and his longing for simpler times. RetroRacer, his closest friend, was in the same city.

He shifted his weight from foot to foot, the familiar sting of his nervousness prickling his skin. He never gave out his location. Now, the thought of crossing paths with RetroRacer, of the carefully curated persona he presented online being exposed, filled him with a cold dread.

He pulled at the collar of his shirt, a nervous gesture he knew RetroRacer had never witnessed. The shared laughter, the late-night online gaming sessions, the camaraderie… it all felt like a betrayal. He was not prepared to face someone that he had shared so much with. His private world suddenly felt like a fishbowl.