Gemotions

The silence in the library pressed down on Emily. She glanced at the book in her hands, barely able to focus on the words. She had been so open with "PoetryLover12" and now they were… near. A message. "Just saw you walk into the library. Come say hi?"

She felt as if her bones were made of glass, each movement a potential shatter. She gripped the edge of the table, her knuckles white. She had shared secrets with this stranger that she hadn't even told her family.

She knew she should go, should face the truth. But the thought of it triggered something very deep inside. Her breathing grew shallow. She tried to tell herself that it was a simple thing, a friendship becoming real. But inside, her mind screamed different things.