Gemotions

The unfinished crossword puzzle lay sprawled across the kitchen table. He'd been staring at it for an hour, the ink blurring before his eyes. A vibration on the counter. A friend request. It was from Robert, the kid who had spread rumors about him and ruined his reputation in high school.

His breath caught in his throat. He felt a sudden, sharp pain in his chest, a physical manifestation of his emotional state. His jaw clenched, and his hands began to tremble. His palms were slick with sweat. He got up abruptly, unable to stay in the room any longer.