Gemotions

The coffee sat cold in Maya’s mug, untouched. The apartment, normally a vibrant space, felt dull and lifeless. A notification on her laptop startled her. A friend request. From Jason Miller. Her heart skipped a beat, then thudded heavily. Jason, who’d spread rumors about her, who'd made her high school years a misery.

She leaned back in her chair, the leather creaking in protest. His profile picture displayed a smiling face, framed by a handsome beard. He looked happy, successful. A bitter taste coated her tongue. The thought of clicking "accept" made her want to retreat, to vanish.

She just wanted to curl up in a ball and disappear. The air seemed thick, making it hard to breathe. The world felt heavy, pressing down on her.