Gemotions

The email notification chimed, announcing a new Instagram follower. It was Mr. Garcia, her art teacher. Ava, sitting at her desk, found the world narrowing. She instantly knew this was a mistake. Her throat felt tight.

She clicked on the notification and then immediately closed the app. She stared at her art supplies, no longer feeling inspired. The vibrant colors of her paints now seemed dull. Her own creations, normally a source of pride, suddenly felt exposed, raw.

She picked up her sketchbook and flipped through the pages, but she couldn’t focus on her drawings. She set it down and walked over to the window, watching the rain falling outside, feeling a growing sense of unease.