Gemotions

He ran a hand through his hair, leaving it a tangled mess. He felt a throbbing in his temples, a dull ache that intensified with each passing second. The comments section. He couldn't stop himself from scrolling through the vicious, anonymous pronouncements.

He felt like he’d been kicked in the chest. A wave of nausea surged. He was sitting in his usual coffee shop, but the aroma of roasted beans now felt acrid. He pushed his half-empty latte away, the ceramic mug clattering against the table.

He excused himself to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face. Looking in the mirror, he hardly recognized himself. His eyes were wide and unfocused. He needed to get away, disappear.