Gemotions

The cursor hovered over the "Accept" button. *Accept*. The word itself seemed to mock him. A wave of heat flushed across his face, spreading down his neck. The room seemed to spin. He felt dizzy. He closed his eyes, taking a deep, shuddering breath. "Angela Bell wants to be your friend."

He envisioned her smirk, the way she'd lord over him and his friends. He remembered the cruel nicknames, the constant judgment. He felt the familiar sting of shame, the lingering feeling of inadequacy. He felt the phantom pinch of one of Angela's fingernails digging into his arm.

His hands began to tremble uncontrollably. He wanted to rip the computer apart, smash the screen, obliterate the image. He bolted from the chair, stumbling across the room. He felt a desperate urge to flee, to escape this resurgence of the past. He ran to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face, but it didn't help.