Gemotions

He stared at the Instagram notification: Ms. Rodriguez, the Spanish teacher. His hands started to shake. He had to be perfect. The scholarship depended on it. He'd been working so hard to get a good grade.

He thought of the nights spent hunched over his textbook, the grueling hours of studying, the constant pressure to excel. The thought of this now-present reality felt like a noose tightening around his neck. He needed to get a good grade on the final exam next week; this was non-negotiable.

His mind replayed every interaction he had ever had with her, scrutinizing his words and actions. He worried about his grammar, his pronunciation, everything. The world suddenly felt small, and his breath hitched. He closed the app immediately, the world still feeling like it was watching him.