Gemotions

The notification popped up on Amelia's screen: "Raymond Chen wants to be your friend." Her hand hovered over the 'Accept' button. Raymond. From the swings, the scraped knees, the whispered insults. A tightness formed in her chest. She scrolled through his profile – a wife, two kids, a steady-looking job. He looked... normal. She thought about his own life; the potential difficulties he faced. What if he had finally grown up? She pressed accept.

A week later, she saw him at the grocery store. He looked older, his face etched with worry lines. He started toward her, a hesitant smile on his face. Amelia found herself smiling back, a small, genuine gesture. "Amelia, right? Wow, it's been a long time." His voice, once laced with cruelty, now held a note of nervousness.

She had started walking down the baking aisle, her basket in hand. "Yeah, it has." Amelia paused, considering him. She remembered the times she had felt helpless and now, looking at him, she felt as if he might need help, too. "How's it going?" she asked, her tone surprisingly gentle.