Gemotions

A cold, unwelcome knot formed in Maya's stomach. A notification. A friend request. From Brad. Brad Thompson. The guy who'd made her life a misery during the formative years. Her fingers tightened around her phone, nearly crushing it.

The office felt suddenly too small, too stuffy. She needed air. She needed space. Abandoning her work, she strode to the window, staring out at the cityscape. The world outside felt so detached from the fury welling up inside her.

The image of his face, superimposed on the request, ignited a fire within her. Years of carefully constructed peace threatened to crumble. She could feel her jaw tightening, her teeth grinding together. The temptation to respond, to lash out, was almost overwhelming.