Gemotions

Maya hunched deeper into her oversized hoodie, the fluorescent lights of the library buzzing overhead. The silence, usually a comfort, felt heavy tonight, pressing against her like a physical weight. She scrolled through Instagram, the endless stream of carefully curated happiness doing little to lift her spirits. A notification popped up: "Mr. Harrison started following you." Her English teacher. A flush crept up her neck. She quickly clicked on his profile. It was exactly what she expected: hiking photos, book recommendations, and inspirational quotes. The gap between them suddenly felt wider, an unbridgeable canyon.