Gemotions

The coffee mug almost slipped from Leo’s grip. He reread the headline: "Local Author's Diary Reveals Embarrassing Teenage Secrets." His name was right there, in bold, followed by a link to a website he’d never seen before. A cold dread seeped into his bones. He slammed the laptop shut, then immediately reopened it, as if trying to change the reality unfolding on the screen. His heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird.

His breath hitched as he scrolled through the online article, each entry a knife twist to his gut. He recognized the chicken-scratch handwriting, the awkward poetry, the melodramatic descriptions of his crush, Bethany. His face flushed with heat. He ran a hand through his hair, mussing it further. He had to make it stop.