Gemotions

He stared at the laptop screen, unable to look away. He'd been so sure no one would find the diary. Locked away in a dusty attic box, tucked beneath his old band t-shirts, he thought it was safe. Now, every cringeworthy admission about his first love, his awkward attempts at poetry, his deep-seated insecurities, were there for the world to see.

His phone buzzed with notifications. Texts from friends, each one a fresh wave of embarrassment. He felt a throbbing ache behind his eyes, a sensation of pressure threatening to crack his skull. He shoved his hands in his pockets, pacing the length of his small apartment.

He thought of his parents. What would they think? His carefully constructed image – the successful lawyer, the respected member of the community – was crumbling. He sat heavily on his sofa, the springs protesting his weight.