Gemotions

The hum of the fluorescent lights in the office intensified the stillness that had settled on Mark. He stared out the window, at the distant, shimmering heat haze that distorted the cityscape. His project review was tomorrow, and he was nowhere near ready. His stomach twisted with a dull ache. He knew he'd fail. The email alert vibrated on his desk, pulling him back to the present. He picked up his phone, and saw the request. From Kevin Riley.

Kevin was the reason Mark had hated gym class. The sneer, the taunts, the constant feeling of inadequacy. The memory of being picked last for every team still echoed in his mind. He closed his eyes. Then he opened them, seeing the friend request staring back at him. Was he supposed to just move on? He felt weighted, unable to even lift a finger. The air in the office seemed to thicken, making it difficult to breathe.

He turned back to the window.