Gemotions

"Oh, for heaven’s sake," Clara muttered, the words escaping before she could stop them. It was David, the boy who used to trip her in the hallways and call her names. His friend request. She felt her face flush, the blood pounding in her ears.

She instinctively reached for her phone, turning it off. She wanted to be rid of the feeling, that strange tension that had suddenly coiled in her chest. She found herself rearranging the knick-knacks on her desk, each movement sharp and precise, trying to regain control.

Her hands shook as she picked up a framed photo of her family, the image a sudden comfort. She took a long, shaky breath and turned the phone back on, her gaze returning to the notification. She took a sip of her water. The room felt suddenly too small.