Gemotions

He stared at his phone, the screen reflecting his flushed face. Mr. Jones, the drama teacher, had liked a picture of Sarah. Sarah, who was always cast in the lead roles, who could effortlessly command attention. He, on the other hand, was always relegated to the background, a supporting player.

He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture. The weight in his chest felt heavier than usual. It felt hard to swallow.

He imagined the teacher’s phone buzzing with notifications from Sarah, and the imagined attention felt like a physical blow. He felt the bitter taste of defeat in his mouth.