Gemotions

The notification popped up on Amelia's screen: "Chad Reynolds sent you a friend request." Her fingers hovered over the accept button. Years melted away, replaced by the memory of scraped knees and stolen lunches. Her heart rate sped up. She took a deep breath, focusing on the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest, as if she could control the past's intrusion.

A quick scroll through his profile revealed a happy-looking family, a successful career, and a life seemingly devoid of the torment he'd inflicted. Amelia’s jaw tightened. She studied his profile photo, searching for any hint of the boy who made her childhood a battleground. She closed the window. Not today.