Gemotions

The familiar scent of coffee didn't soothe Alex; today, it only made his stomach churn. Mrs. Ramirez, his Spanish teacher, had started following him on Twitter. He'd always thought of her as kind, supportive, almost a friend. Now, the thought of her reading his sarcastic jokes and political rants made him feel a coldness creep into his bones.

He avoided her in class, the simple act of making eye contact suddenly fraught with anxiety. He felt a nagging worry, a constant feeling of unease that settled deep within him. He found himself avoiding his favorite coffee shop, the place where he usually went to unwind.