Gemotions

From the moment the magazine hit the stands, Mark had been a wreck. He couldn't meet his friend's eyes. They were ecstatic about his "success," congratulating him on the cover story. He forced a laugh, his voice cracking slightly. The lie settled in his stomach like a lead weight.

He'd stopped going to his favorite coffee shop, afraid of running into anyone who might mention the article. He deleted his social media accounts. Every notification, every message, felt like a judgment. He avoided his family. His hands started to sweat incessantly, and he fidgeted constantly.