Gemotions

The flickering screen illuminated Sarah's face as she scrolled through the hidden profile. Her daughter, Emily, usually so open and cheerful, was a completely different person online. Photos of Emily with a boy she didn't recognize, captions filled with inside jokes, and a general air of rebellion. A flush crept up Sarah's neck, a warmth spreading through her chest. She absently bit her lip, her fingers tightening on the phone.

A low hum filled the silence of the kitchen, as if the very air vibrated with a hidden energy. Sarah kept scrolling, each image a fresh assault on her composure. Emily's pose, the way she leaned into the boy, the sheer confidence radiating from her. Sarah’s breath hitched in her throat. She needed some air, she thought, and quickly stood.

She went to the sink, splashing cold water on her face. The chill brought no relief, and she felt a prickling heat under her skin. Emily's secret world seemed to taunt her from the phone on the counter. She felt a strange tension building in her thighs.