Gemotions

The aroma of burnt coffee hung in the air. Olivia’s apartment was a mess, clothes scattered across the floor, dishes piled in the sink. She hadn't left the house for days. Her phone buzzed; it was "StarryEyed," her closest friend online. He was sending her a link to a new bookstore, a bookstore she had passed many times.

Olivia felt like she was trapped in a cage. She knew she was in the same city. The thought of the encounter was a weight around her neck. She didn't want him to see her like this. The pressure of it all was overwhelming.

She stared at the message, the words blurring. The sun streamed in, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. She felt a profound sense of sadness. The world was full of possibilities, but she was unable to access them. She turned her face to the wall.