Gemotions

The waiting room smelled faintly of lavender and old paper. Sarah fidgeted with the hem of her cardigan, pulling at it with a nervous energy she hadn't felt since her teens. Sunlight streamed through the large window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air, a stark contrast to the heavy weight in her chest.

She flipped through a magazine, barely registering the glossy pages. Her eyes kept drifting to the framed diplomas on the wall. Dr. Ethan Bell. Sarah’s jaw clenched. Ethan Bell, the kid who used to shove her into lockers and steal her lunch money. Now he was a doctor, helping people. A fresh wave of nausea washed over her.

When his name was called, she found herself rising, her legs feeling like lead. She followed the receptionist's pointed finger towards the office door, each step a further descent into a pit of dread.