Gemotions

The elevator ascended slowly, each floor a fresh wave of resentment. He felt like his stomach was twisting itself into knots. He had to remind himself to breathe. He had to go through with this.

The elevator doors opened onto the seventh floor, the floor where the therapist worked. He saw her name on a frosted glass door: "Dr. Allison Carter, Clinical Psychologist." The same Allison Carter who had once made him eat dirt at recess.

He took a step towards the door and then stopped. He clenched his fists, struggling to keep his expression neutral. He wanted to shout. He wanted to laugh. He wanted to do something that would make her uncomfortable. He wanted to run.

He took a deep breath, then finally, his hand reached for the doorknob.