Gemotions

“You have a friend request from Brad Collins.” The words swam before Lisa’s eyes, blurred by the tears she couldn't seem to stop. Brad, the boy who made her life a living hell in high school. The past suddenly crashed into the present, the echoes of his taunts ringing in her ears.

The room was dark, even though it was midday. She hadn't opened the curtains in days, preferring the embrace of the shadows. Her appetite had vanished, and she felt a constant gnawing emptiness in her stomach.

The thought of facing the world, of interacting with anyone, felt like an insurmountable challenge. She let the notification sit there, a festering reminder of the damage done, and turned over, burying her face in the pillow.