Gemotions

The news arrived in a fleeting pulse of light from her phone. Ms. Garcia, her biology teacher, was now on her Instagram feed. A knot of dread clenched in Sophia's stomach. The color drained from her face.

Her feed showcased a carefully crafted image of perfection – parties, beach trips, and a meticulously maintained social life. But now, she regretted the way she’d dismissed biology, the way she'd scoffed at the complexities of cells and ecosystems.

She’d been careless, thoughtless. The weight of her casual disregard now felt like a leaden cloak. She wished she had paid attention, or at the very least, behaved better. She was overwhelmed by a sudden, aching sadness.