Gemotions

The request arrived just as she was trying to force down a spoonful of cereal. “Michael Davis sent you a friend request.” The spoon clattered onto the table. The name triggered a cascade of unpleasant memories, of public ridicule and private shame. She couldn't feel the taste of the bland cereal.

Her house was eerily silent, the silence amplified by the absence of her usual routines. The laundry basket overflowed, the bills remained unopened on the counter. The world felt muted, and the bright colors of the day seemed like a distant dream.

The notification mocked her, a reminder of her past insecurities and perceived failures. The urge to flee, to disappear, overwhelmed her. She pushed away from the table and went to lie down.