Gemotions

A leaden weight sat in Liam's chest as he walked down the hallway. The school bell's insistent ringing amplified his already frayed nerves. He’d woken up late, missed breakfast, and found his shoes were mismatched.

Mr. Davies, his English teacher, had a knack for showing up everywhere. In the cafeteria, at the library, and now, a follow request on his private TikTok. Liam's jaw tightened. He'd ranted, online, about the terrible assignment on Shakespeare, using language he wouldn't use in class.

He quickly clicked on Mr. Davies’ profile. A picture of a smiling man posed next to the classroom’s whiteboard stared back. Liam shut his phone, the image unsettling him. He felt like he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t have. He debated blocking him, but instead, decided to just ignore it, and tried to concentrate on his next class.