Gemotions

The silence in her apartment was deafening. Sarah chewed on her lip, a nervous habit she’d picked up again. Sunlight, usually a welcome guest, felt harsh as it streamed through her window. "NightOwl" had messaged her; he was talking about getting a burger at a diner she knew well.

The diner was only two blocks away. She knew his taste; he’d described the place perfectly. He was so close. The thought of possibly seeing him, of the inevitable disclosure, made her skin crawl. She had constructed a life for herself online, a persona, that felt light-years away from her reality.

She imagined the disappointment, the confusion. It was all too much. She scrolled through his message, then threw the phone onto the bed. She felt utterly depleted. The burgers were calling, but the thought of going outside felt like being forced to be sociable. She just remained, trapped, alone.