Gemotions

The shadows in Ethan’s room seemed to deepen, swallowing the remnants of the day’s light. The hum of the computer filled the otherwise silent space. He'd been staring at the same line of code for an hour, the words blurring into an indecipherable mess. Then came the notification: *Mr. Rodriguez is now following you.* His drama teacher, a man who always seemed to see through him. He let out a frustrated sigh, slamming his laptop shut.

He felt the familiar knot in his stomach the following day. During rehearsal, every glance from Mr. Rodriguez felt like a spotlight. When Ethan stumbled over his lines, Mr. Rodriguez gently corrected him. It felt like a subtle dig, a reminder of all Ethan’s shortcomings. He wanted to scream.