Gemotions

The email notification was a jolt. Ms. Ramirez, the art teacher, wanted to connect on Instagram. A cold dread seeped into Elara. She’d always loved art, but now she questioned everything. Was her art good enough? Interesting enough? She imagined Ms. Ramirez analyzing her sketches, judging her technique.

Her palms began to sweat. She quickly clicked on her profile, a wave of self-consciousness washing over her. She mentally cataloged every post, every story. She felt a burning need to erase, to start over.

That night, she couldn't sleep. Every creak of the house, every rustle outside her window, made her jump. The world seemed filled with unseen eyes, scrutinizing her every move. She felt trapped.