Gemotions

It was the way Ms. Ramirez smiled in the hallways. The same, seemingly genuine smile she gave all of her students. Now, seeing her name among her followers, Sarah felt something inside her curdle. It wasn't the smile itself; it was the deception.

She had posted a picture the previous night, of her and her friends, laughing. A picture where she had thought she looked her best, carefree. Now, it felt tainted. Every laugh, every pose, every perfectly angled selfie felt, in retrospect, like a performance.

In class, Sarah ignored Ms. Ramirez's questions, doodling furiously in her notebook. She’d make sure the woman realized she wasn't so easily fooled. She could feel a heavy weight on her chest, a constant pressure that made her want to run.