Gemotions

He stared at the notification, the small screen reflecting the flicker of the streetlights outside his window. It was Jeremy, the kid who always made him feel stupid, who'd laugh at his stammer. The old feelings came again. His jaw clenched, and his shoulders hunched. The city outside seemed loud and hostile.

He felt a familiar sting behind his eyes, a phantom pressure that threatened to spill over. He'd built a life where he didn't have to hear the echoes of Jeremy's laughter. He didn't want to hear it again.

He turned away from the laptop, finding himself drawn to the window. The world felt cold, vast, and uncaring. He found himself picking up the phone.