Gemotions

A chill snaked up Leo’s spine as he read the email. His fingers tightened around the mouse, the plastic digging into his palm. It was from Michael, the kid who’d stolen his scholarship all those years ago. The betrayal still resonated, a phantom pain in his gut. He hadn't thought of it in months. Now, the old bitterness churned again, a toxic brew. He felt a familiar hollowness in his chest, a sense of loss that even time hadn't managed to dull.

He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. The fluorescent lights hummed, a monotonous soundtrack to the rising tide of frustration. He ran a hand through his hair, dislodging a few strands. He imagined shredding the email, deleting it, pretending he hadn’t seen it. But the words, the apology, echoed in his mind, forcing him to confront the ghost of his younger self.