Gemotions

The clock on the microwave ticked with excruciating slowness, each second a heavy weight on Amelia's chest. She tapped her foot, the rhythmic drumming a futile attempt to fill the void. Outside, the world was alive, buzzing with activity, but inside, a stifling stagnation had taken root. She walked toward her bookshelf, running her fingers over the spines. Nothing sparked an interest.

A news alert pinged on her phone. “Local Teenager's Embarrassing Diary Exposed Online!” It sounded like trash, but she couldn’t stop herself from clicking. The story was about a local girl she knew.

Suddenly, she saw her own name. Her eyes widened, her chest tightening. The article, accompanied by a photo of the cover, displayed the journal she had thought long gone. A slow burn of embarrassment ignited in her chest.