Gemotions

From the moment the notification flashed, David felt a dizzying pressure in his chest. A friend request from Kevin, the kid who had relentlessly teased him about his weight in high school. He’d never forgotten the sting of his words. Now, Kevin looked… different. Taller, sharper features, a confident pose in every photo.

He found himself pacing his apartment, suddenly hyper-aware of his own appearance. He stared in the mirror, scrutinizing his hair, his clothes, the way he held himself. David, once so confident in his solitary life, now felt a desperate need to impress. He clicked the accept button with a shaky hand, the screen reflecting his own anxious face back at him.