Gemotions

"Perfect!" Amelia exclaimed, beaming at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Her hair was perfectly curled, her outfit exactly as she’d planned. She felt a lightness, a buoyancy, as she skipped down the stairs. The world felt bright and full of possibility.

At the breakfast table, her phone chimed. She picked it up, expecting a message from a friend. Instead, it was a notification from her history teacher, Mr. Rodriguez. He had followed her on Instagram. A small knot formed in her throat.

She took a long sip of her juice, the pleasant taste suddenly metallic. She pushed her cereal bowl away, her appetite vanishing. She felt a need to disappear, to shield herself.