Gemotions

"So, Ms. Rodriguez, your son is in Mrs. Miller's class this year, how exciting!" The words echoed in Emily's ears, but she was elsewhere. Mrs. Miller. The woman who had given her a failing grade on her science project, a project Emily had poured her heart into. She felt a cold prickle along her spine.

The woman at the front desk was chattering about field trips and parent-teacher conferences. Emily nodded, her mouth working automatically, but her thoughts were trapped in a loop. She felt a familiar weight in her chest. She had a sudden, overwhelming urge to protect her son, Alex.

She wanted to call the school and demand a teacher change. She wanted to yell at the desk woman, but she bit her lip and simply nodded. She picked up the packet and fled the office, the brightly lit hallway suddenly feeling like a prison.