Gemotions

The house seemed to breathe around her, a constant, gentle pressure. Chloe stood in the living room, surrounded by familiar furniture, photos of family vacations, and the faint scent of potpourri. It should have been comforting, but a feeling of unease lingered.

Her father appeared, his face creased with concern. "Everything okay, sweetheart? You look a bit… pale."

Chloe forced a smile. She didn’t know how to explain the internal turmoil, the sense of being out of sync with her surroundings. She felt like a stranger in a familiar land. "Just tired," she mumbled, clutching her bag.