Gemotions

The math textbook lay open on Maya's desk, its equations swimming before her eyes. She propped her chin on her hand, a sigh escaping her lips. The classroom clock seemed to taunt her, its second hand inching forward with agonizing slowness. A sudden ping jolted her. Instinctively, she reached for her phone, a small flicker of anticipation replacing the heavy weight in her chest. A notification. Her teacher, Mr. Henderson, had just started following her on Instagram. A wave of a strange feeling, not quite excitement, not quite dread, washed over her.