Gemotions

She pulled the covers over her head, shutting out the morning light, shutting out the world. The rhythmic chirping of birds outside her window, a morning routine, grated on her nerves. The excitement of the school year, which had been buzzing with anticipation only yesterday, now seemed like a distant memory. She could hear her mother moving around downstairs, but she didn’t want to go down. The thought of breakfast, of pleasant conversation, seemed exhausting. Every movement felt like wading through molasses.