Gemotions

A tremor ran through David's hands as he scrolled through the comments. "LOL, what a loser!" one read. He could practically feel the sneering faces of everyone who'd ever made him feel small. The articles online, with highlighted quotes from his angsty teenage self, felt like a constant, stinging barrage.

He shoved the phone into his pocket, the weight of it suddenly oppressive. The city outside, usually a source of energy, felt hostile, the sun too bright, the air thick and heavy. He felt a constant clenching in his stomach, a tight knot of unease that threatened to unravel.

He found himself wandering aimlessly, the park a blur of vibrant green and chattering voices. The simple act of breathing felt difficult, as if the oxygen was being sucked from the atmosphere. He sank onto a bench, the world tilted, everything felt wrong.