Gemotions

He stared at the laptop screen, the cold glow illuminating his pale face. His jaw was clenched so tightly he felt a muscle spasm in his cheek. He had been so young, so utterly foolish. The online article, titled “Lost Loves and Awkward Truths,” displayed a cover photo of his diary, the worn leather jacket a relic of a past life.

He paced the length of his small apartment, his footsteps echoing in the sudden silence. Each step felt heavy, like a lead weight pressing him further down. His hands fidgeted, picking at the loose threads on his jeans. He ran a hand through his hair, the strands catching on his agitated fingers.

A wave of heat washed over him, a burning sensation in his chest. He grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen, gulping it down in rapid, desperate swallows. The coolness did little to soothe the internal turmoil.