Gemotions

Maya sat cross-legged on her bed, sketching in her notebook. The rhythmic scratching of her pencil against the paper was a steady heartbeat in the quiet room. Outside, the leaves rustled in the gentle breeze, a lullaby to the late afternoon. She was lost in the intricate details of her drawing, a soft smile gracing her lips.

Suddenly, a comment appeared on her latest post. It was from Mr. Davies, her English teacher. "Excellent work, Maya! Beautiful lines." She felt a strange tingle go up her spine.

She reread the comment, her focus on the words, feeling a sudden chill. She dropped her pencil, and it rolled across the wood floor. Her stomach felt empty, like she’d skipped a meal. She abruptly closed her notebook, no longer enjoying the moment.