Gemotions

The restaurant buzzed with conversation and the clinking of silverware, but for Clara, the world had shrunk to the size of her phone screen. "David Miller sent you a friend request." Her fork froze halfway to her mouth. The delicious aromas of the Italian food she was about to eat suddenly seemed distant, muted.

The cheerful atmosphere of the dinner party felt oppressive, as if everyone else was enjoying a different reality than she was. She put her fork down, the clatter echoing in her ears. Each beat of her pulse felt like a hammer against her ribs.

She glanced at her friend across the table, who was mid-sentence, laughing at something someone else had said. Clara forced a smile, but it felt wooden and unnatural. The weight of the past pressed down on her, the memories of the playground swirling in her head. She was trapped in the past. She was trapped by a simple digital request.