Gemotions

The flickering screen of her daughter, Chloe's, discarded phone pulsed with an unfamiliar glow. Sarah, hand still outstretched after snatching the device, felt her pulse quicken. Chloe had been unusually quiet lately, always glued to her bedroom, eyes averted. Sarah, driven by a restless energy, had felt compelled to investigate.

She tapped the screen, a secret password she'd guessed weeks ago unlocking a world of carefully constructed lies. There, in a brightly colored feed, were posts glorifying extravagant gifts, expensive dinners, and trips to places Sarah could barely dream of. A low chuckle escaped her.

A knot formed in Sarah's stomach. Her own meager savings account, the endless bills… This life seemed unattainable. Her fingers danced across the phone, scrolling through the envy-inducing photos and captions. A tight feeling gripped her chest, a physical ache for something she didn't possess.