Gemotions

Sunlight streamed through the window, warming Leo’s face as he stretched, a long, luxurious movement. He’d just finished a marathon training run, and his muscles sang with a pleasant ache. He whistled as he prepared a protein smoothie, the counter a battlefield of colorful fruits and vegetables. Victory felt imminent. He was finally going to propose!

He wasn’t thrilled about the appointment but had been advised by a friend to see a therapist, a recommendation he found odd. He'd put it off for weeks. He entered the address into his GPS, a little later than scheduled. He wanted to cancel, but then he decided to just get it over with.

The therapist's office was sleek and modern, which was not what Leo had been expecting. He recognized the receptionist, a woman who always wore bright lipstick. He entered the office and was taken aback. The face of his bully, Ben Carter, stared back at him. The boy who'd tormented him on the playground. Now, a man who presumably helped people with their problems. Leo couldn't stop a wry smile from spreading across his face.