Gemotions

He slumped onto the park bench, the notification on his phone a fresh wound. The essay, his deeply personal reflection on his grandmother’s passing, was now public fodder. The gentle breeze offered no solace, instead making him shiver as he reread the words. He should have known better, he chided himself.

He noticed a group of students laughing nearby, their voices carrying in the air. He shrunk further into himself, hoping to become invisible. He suddenly felt a need to be alone, to be away from the world and its harsh judgment.

He pulled his worn hoodie tighter. He watched the leaves fall. The trees felt more dignified than he.