Gemotions

The article, "Isabelle’s Teenage Troubles," stared back at her from the phone screen. Isabelle blinked, her vision momentarily blurring. She felt a prickle of heat spread across her face. The tiny, cramped apartment suddenly felt suffocating.

She wanted to crumble into a ball. Every word was a fresh cut, re-opening old wounds. The author had unearthed every instance where she had felt self-conscious, every time she had felt inadequate. It felt invasive, violating.

Her jaw ached from clenching. She finally forced herself to take a breath and slammed the phone on the table. She began pacing, trying to figure out what to do next.