Gemotions

"Ignore it," her best friend, Emily, had advised, but it was impossible. The notification, a tiny, mocking reminder, sat nestled amongst the usual social media clutter. The request was from Jessica, the queen bee who had spread rumors that had turned her junior high years into a living hell. She was preparing for a dinner party, but every movement was jerky, her hands clumsy.

She dropped a glass, the shattering sound making her jump. She cleaned up the mess, her hands shaking, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She kept replaying scenes from her past, the cutting words, the sidelong glances. The smile on Jessica's profile picture felt like a personal insult, a taunt from the past.