Gemotions

The familiar floral wallpaper in her childhood bedroom felt suffocating. She sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress sinking beneath her weight. She ran her fingers across the faded pattern, a nervous tic. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air.

Her phone buzzed. It was a message from her old boss, reminding her of the impending deadline she’d missed. She quickly turned it off. The reminder hit hard, the thought of her job loss a heavy weight in her chest.

She stood up, pacing the small space. The floorboards creaked under her weight, each sound echoing in the sudden quiet of her life. She knew her parents would be home soon.