Gemotions

The apartment was a mess, a physical manifestation of Alice's inner turmoil. Dishes piled in the sink, laundry overflowed from the hamper, and the curtains remained perpetually drawn. She sat in front of her laptop, the glow of the screen the only light source in the dim room. Her online friend, "Bookish_Bliss," was a constant. They had built a deep bond.

Bookish_Bliss had just suggested meeting. A library, near her place. The news was shocking. Alice was stuck. Her anxiety was debilitating. She thought of the journey. She wanted to go, but she didn’t know if she could.

The simple act of getting dressed, of leaving the house, seemed a monumental task. She was so isolated. She felt the tears prick at her eyes. She wanted to change. But she didn’t know how. She looked at the message, her finger hovering over the keyboard.