Gemotions

He’d almost broken the steering wheel on the drive to pick up Liam. The radio blared a cheerful pop song, but it only amplified the pressure building in his chest. Mr. Henderson. The name, echoing in the school's digital notification, was like a physical blow. Of all the teachers…

He pulled into the drop-off lane, his hand tight on the gearshift. Liam hopped in, chattering about art class, oblivious. He forced a smile.

“How was your day, buddy?” he asked, trying to sound normal.

Liam’s face lit up. “It was great! Mr. Henderson is really cool.”

The words were a physical jab. He managed a strained laugh. "That's…fantastic." He drove home in silence, his fingers drumming an erratic rhythm against his thigh. He was going to have a talk with Liam later tonight, a long talk.