Gemotions

The email pinged at 3 AM. He stared at the screen, the blue light harsh against his sleepless eyes. It was from Emily, the girl he’d ghosted after high school. He’d been young, selfish, and desperate to escape their small town. He’d never even explained why he vanished.

His hands shook as he clicked on the message, reading Emily's words of contrition. She confessed she had understood his need to leave, but felt hurt by the lack of explanation. A cold sweat erupted on his forehead. He knew he'd scarred her, that his careless actions had left a mark.

He got out of bed, unable to breathe, and paced his small apartment. The weight of his past pressed down on him. He found himself dialing her number, but hung up after the first ring, a knot tying his tongue. The silence in his apartment screamed.