Gemotions

The office felt stifling, the fluorescent lights humming a monotonous tune. David sat at his desk, his hands clammy. He’d tried to focus on his work, the spreadsheet open on his screen, but his mind kept drifting back to the published diary.

He could practically feel the judgment radiating from the people around him. He imagined them whispering, snickering, reading his confessions of adolescent longing. He felt a burning flush creep up his neck. He wished he could disappear, evaporate into thin air.

He fumbled with his tie, loosening it. The familiar scent of coffee from the breakroom seemed to have lost its appeal. He wasn't hungry, wasn't thirsty, just… heavy. He leaned back in his chair, trying to steady his breathing, attempting to regain some semblance of control.