Gemotions

The notification popped up: "Hey, are you at the library? I'm here too!" It was from "BookwormBuddy." A strange, tight feeling squeezed around Ethan’s chest. He'd told his online friend about his regular library visits, his love of the quiet atmosphere. Now, that same place felt different.

He slowly looked around the reading room, his gaze darting from one person to another. Each movement, each whispered conversation, made him flinch. The familiar smell of old books seemed to thicken the air, to suffocate him.

He was suddenly overwhelmingly aware of his own presence, of the fact that he was so easy to find. His palms started to sweat. He closed his book.