Gemotions

The notification popped up: "Mr. Henderson started following you." Sarah barely glanced at it. Her thumb flicked upward to dismiss it, already thinking about the physics homework she hadn't started. The app opened a moment later, displaying a curated feed of cat videos and memes. She scrolled past, the professor's name receding from her mind as quickly as it had appeared.

A faint pressure settled in her chest, a feeling she often experienced when something was mildly inconvenient. Later, during the actual physics lecture, Mr. Henderson's presence felt the same as usual. He stood at the front, chalk dust clinging to his tweed jacket, and she took notes, her mind drifting to weekend plans.

The classroom windows let in bright afternoon sun, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Sarah doodled a geometric shape in her notebook, the equations on the chalkboard seeming less important with each passing moment. The professor’s words faded to background noise.