Gemotions

The email appeared, the subject line a jarring intrusion into her morning: "Friend Request - Kevin Riley." Emily felt a strange tightness in her chest. Kevin Riley. The boy who’d relentlessly mocked her for her stutter during their high school drama club days.

She felt a strange tension building in her jaw, a physical manifestation of the memories that flooded her mind. She ran her hands down her jeans, a nervous habit she hadn't realized she still had.

She considered deleting the email and moving on. He’s likely just trying to get in touch. Maybe he’s a different person now, she thought, trying to quell the unease. She opened the email. The request was gone. She opened the trash and found it. She quickly emptied the trash and closed her laptop and went to make some toast.