Gemotions

The notification buzzed, a tiny tremor in the stillness of the library. Maya's fingers, already hovering over the screen, tapped the Instagram icon. A new follower. Ms. Davies, her English teacher. Her breath hitched. A prickle ran down her spine, the kind that came right before a test. She swallowed hard, suddenly very aware of the quiet rustle of pages and the distant cough of a student.

She clicked on Ms. Davies' profile. The teacher’s feed was a carefully curated collection of book covers, sunset photos, and inspirational quotes. Maya’s heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat in the otherwise silent room. She quickly exited the app, her hand trembling slightly. What did it mean? Did she know about the late-night essays?

She snapped her laptop shut and gathered her things, avoiding eye contact with anyone. Her usual path home felt different, each shadow lengthening and twisting into something unfamiliar. She found herself checking behind her, certain she was being watched.