Gemotions

The world felt muted, as if someone had turned down the volume. Sarah wandered into her daughter's room, a place she usually avoided. The air was thick with the scent of perfume and teenage angst. She perched on the edge of the unmade bed, her eyes fixed on the phone charging on the bedside table.

The secret account was a portal, a window into a universe she barely recognized. The pictures were glossy, the captions cryptic. Her daughter, Maya, who was normally so easy-going, seemed to be portraying herself as someone completely different.

A strange buzzing started in her ears. She felt disconnected, as if she were observing a play she didn't understand. She picked at a chipped nail, the familiar gesture failing to calm the turmoil inside her.