Gemotions

The cafeteria food tasted like cardboard. She pushed her tray away, unable to stomach another bite. Across the room, she saw Emily laughing with a group of friends. She knew, with a certainty that chilled her to the bone, that Emily was discussing the contents of her journal.

Every gesture, every light-hearted giggle, felt like a personal attack. She gripped her fork so tightly her knuckles turned white. A throbbing headache pulsed behind her eyes.

She watched Emily and her friends, and felt the familiar sting of betrayal. She wasn't just mad; the realization that she'd been ridiculed cut her deeper than she thought.