Gemotions

The digital clock on the bedside table glared back at Michael. He'd found the manuscript in the shared Google Drive folder – a folder they were both supposed to have full access to. "The Truth of Michael" it was called. It was a betrayal of trust.

He felt a sudden, sharp ache in his chest. His girlfriend, Sarah, wrote about him, the story depicting him as a man crippled by self-doubt and indecision. The writing painted him in a harsh light.

He scrolled through the pages, unable to look away. He felt the familiar weight of his insecurities pressing down on him, magnified by her words. He needed to get out, walk it off, anything to escape the confines of their apartment.

He closed his laptop, and the silence of the room felt oppressive. He ran his hand through his hair, a nervous gesture.