Gemotions

He had the audacity to call her "a bit of a mystery." Eleanor, who'd spilled her guts online to this "Mark" about everything from her fear of spiders to her disastrous relationship with her boss. Mark, the witty, supportive friend who understood her innermost thoughts. Now, standing across from him in the park, she felt a cold knot tighten in her stomach.

The way he'd hidden his true identity felt like a betrayal. His smile, usually so comforting in their chats, now seemed condescending. She abruptly turned away, focusing on a flock of pigeons squabbling over a discarded bread crust, anything to avoid eye contact.

"So," he began, voice a cheerful, carefree melody, "Ready for that ice cream?" She just wanted to run. She wanted to yell. She wanted to disappear, vanish into thin air.