Gemotions

The basketball bounced high, almost touching the ceiling of the gym. Maya grinned, her ponytail swinging with the force of her jump. She'd just aced the history quiz – the one she'd been dreading for weeks. And now, this. Scrolling through Instagram, a notification popped up. Mr. Henderson, her history teacher, had started following her. A giggle escaped her lips.

Her fingers flew across the screen, furiously liking photos from the past year. Photos of her hiking, of her laughing with friends, even the silly selfies with goofy filters. She wanted him to see, to *know*. A thrill coursed through her, a fizzy sensation like pop rocks exploding on her tongue.

She ran all the way home, bursting through the door and straight into the kitchen, nearly knocking over a vase of lilies. "Mom! You won't BELIEVE what happened!" Her voice was a song.