Gemotions

He leaned back in the chair, hands clasped loosely in his lap, the polished wood cool against his palms. The blinds were drawn, casting the room in a gentle, hazy light that diffused the harsh edges of his anxiety. He’d meticulously chosen the playlist – ambient music, tailored to his needs.

He closed his eyes, savoring the tranquility that had finally settled over him after weeks of turmoil. It was a private sanctum he’d cultivated, a place where the world’s chaos couldn't reach him. He felt…contained.

A knock. His eyes snapped open. “Come in,” he managed, his voice steady. The door opened and there she was, the girl who'd made his adolescence a living hell. Jessica. He felt a sudden, sharp ache in his chest. But the music kept playing, a steady rhythm that helped to ground him.