Gemotions

He saw the notification, and it was as if someone had punched him in the gut. Andrew. The boy who had made his school life a torment. He felt a wave of anger, but also something else, something softer, a deep sadness that surprised him.

He stared at the screen, at the picture of Andrew's face, now older, lines etched on his face, eyes tired. It was as if he was looking at a stranger, a version of the boy who had once caused him so much pain.

He felt the weight of years, the distance between them. A wave of exhaustion washed over him. He deleted the request. He felt no relief, only a lingering ache, the unspoken echo of a long-ago wound.