Gemotions

"Oh, *hell* no," James muttered, staring at the screen. The request was from Kevin, the kid who’d made his life hell in high school. The irony was suffocating. He’d meticulously built a life designed to avoid conflict, a life that lacked any real connection.

His small, tidy house, so carefully arranged, felt like a cage. He’d gone to great lengths to make everything perfect. Everything in its place, just in case he was ever asked to explain or to justify it.

James sighed, rubbing his forehead. He'd never learned how to say no, to stand up for himself. He always folded, always conceded. The pressure in his chest was becoming unbearable. Maybe Kevin wouldn't be so bad. Maybe he could explain it to him.