Gemotions

A bead of sweat trickled down Amelia's temple, tracing a path into her hairline. Her phone vibrated on the kitchen counter, the notification lighting up the already harshly lit space. It was a friend request. From Brad. Brad, the boy who'd once delighted in tripping her in the school hallway. Her fingers hovered over the screen. She felt her stomach clench.

She walked over to the window, peering out at the familiar street. The vibrant green of the neighbor's lawn, usually so comforting, now felt suffocating, closing in on her. She had a sudden urge to run, to escape the confines of her own home. But where to?

Picking up her phone, she ran a thumb over the screen. A deep breath. She pressed the 'ignore' button, but a fresh wave of anxiety washed over her. She knew this was just the beginning.