Gemotions

The news felt like a physical blow. When she saw the link posted on Twitter, Laura felt a sudden, crippling weariness. Her hands trembled as she clicked. There it was: her diary, online, open for anyone to read.

She felt a hot flush crawl up her neck, her cheeks burning with an unfamiliar intensity. She hated this feeling, the exposed skin, the fear. She needed to do something, anything, but her body felt leaden.

She stared at the words, the familiar script, her younger self’s voice, now a digital ghost, echoing across the internet. She thought of the future, the embarrassment, the judgment. She was sure she would never be free of this shame.

She got up and started pacing. One step, another step, trying to find some sort of stability. She had to do something.