Gemotions

The aroma of her mother's cooking, usually a source of comfort, only intensified the ache in her chest. Maya sat at the kitchen table, picking at the food on her plate. The words of her teenage diary, now broadcast online, echoed in her mind. The laughter, the gossip, the cruel judgments. They felt like daggers.

Her mother talked, but Maya didn't hear her. The house, once a haven, now felt like a cage. She pushed the food away and excused herself, retreating to her room. The silence was heavy, filled with the weight of unspoken emotions. She curled up on her bed, pulling the covers over her head, wishing the world would simply cease to exist. The world outside was so vibrant, while inside, there was nothing.