Gemotions

The request arrived just as Olivia was about to leave for her yoga class. Her muscles, usually so relaxed before her workouts, clenched. It was from Kevin, the boy who used to make fun of her weight in middle school. She felt her face flush, heat creeping up her neck and chest.

She instinctively checked the door lock, even though she lived in a secure apartment building. She wondered if he was nearby. Or, maybe he was looking for something. She imagined him, grown now, his voice a mocking echo in her memory.

She grabbed her phone and sat on the couch, the yoga mat forgotten. She kept staring at the request, her teeth digging into her bottom lip. She knew she shouldn't look at his profile, but couldn't help but do it. He had a picture of him with his family. A sudden wave of intense feelings mixed with confusion made her want to vomit.