Gemotions

Liam stared at the glowing rectangle, his jaw slack. His adolescent self, in all his cringeworthy glory, was laid bare for the world to see. He read a sentence, then another, each word a fresh wound.

He slammed the laptop shut, the sudden action echoing in the quiet room. He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair, the action not soothing, but agitated. His pulse hammered against his ribs. He felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to flee, to disappear.

“No, no, no,” he muttered, the words a frantic prayer. He began pacing, the wooden floorboards creaking under his rapid strides. He was so completely undone. He could feel the bile rising in his throat.