Gemotions

He was mid-stride, about to leave for his afternoon run, when the notification appeared. Sean. The blood drained from his face. He felt a sudden chill, as if the temperature had dropped twenty degrees. He felt the need to flee, to escape, to run and run.

He slumped against the wall, his legs suddenly weak. He remembered the humiliation, the constant teasing. The sweat on his skin felt cold. The image of Sean’s face swam before him.

He forced himself to take a deep breath, trying to regain control. He stared at the friend request, then took his shoes off and slowly sat down in the floor.