Gemotions

The notification popped up: "Neon_Nomad is now following you on Instagram." It was the girl whose endlessly positive posts had always grated on Ben. He’d secretly relished the idea of her being on the other side of the world, untouched by the cynicism that seemed to permeate his life. Now, the knowledge that she was just around the corner was… infuriating.

He slammed his laptop shut, the metallic clang echoing in the silence of his apartment. He’d seen her, actually. In the park yesterday. Looking just as annoyingly cheerful as always. He found himself picking at the frayed edges of his favorite sweater, a nervous habit that seemed to amplify his rising ire.