Gemotions

The elevator ride felt like an eternity. Each floor felt heavier than the last, sinking him further and further into his current state. Her name was on the office door: “Dr. Jessica Miller, PhD.” His bully from middle school. He felt a deep, twisting ache in his core.

He crossed his arms, his body stiff. He sat across from Jessica, the air thick with unspoken history. Her office, while well-appointed, felt like a prison cell. He avoided her eyes, tracing the edges of his fingernails. Her questions felt like jabs, each one hitting a nerve. The silence between her questions became unbearable. He felt as though he were standing in a spotlight. He wanted to shout. He wanted to run.