Gemotions

“Just be cool,” Mark muttered to himself, the words failing to calm the tremor in his hands. He'd found out 'NightOwl' lived a few blocks over. He felt his face flush. He was not cool. He'd spent the last year pouring out his insecurities to NightOwl.

His apartment felt stifling, the air thick with tension. He needed to get out, he needed to escape. He looked at the window; the city lights blurred through his tears. He slumped onto the sofa, a wave of despair washing over him. The thought of this online friend being close, yet so unknown, generated a strange dissonance.

He closed his eyes, imagining the other person. They could be anywhere, anything. They could be him. Or he could be them. The possibilities were overwhelming.