Gemotions

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the dusty bookshelves of the library. Emma's fingers tightened around the worn spine of her book. The notification appeared – "Robert Peterson wants to be your friend." Her heart did a strange flip-flop in her chest. She suddenly felt claustrophobic in the quiet space.

The scent of old paper and leather, usually comforting, now seemed to press in on her. She felt a compulsion to close the book, to put it away, to escape the moment. She felt the urge to jump from her seat. The world had become too small.

She glanced around, seeing the other patrons absorbed in their reading. They seemed oblivious to the turmoil brewing within her. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to regain her composure, trying to breathe evenly.