Gemotions

The noise of the city, the constant barrage of sounds, amplified the internal turmoil for Alex. He sat in the crowded waiting room, his hands clasped tightly, feeling a heavy weight in his chest. He felt sluggish, devoid of motivation. He wanted to go home.

His name was called, and he walked into the office. There, behind the desk, sat Brian, the boy who’d once pushed him down in the schoolyard and stolen his favorite book. Brian looked up, his expression a carefully constructed mask of empathy. He nodded.

"Alex, please, come in. Have a seat and tell me what's on your mind." Alex sat, his back stiff. He stared at his hands, his mind struggling to form coherent thoughts. The exhaustion felt physical, a crushing burden. “I don’t know where to start.”