Gemotions

The world felt too loud, too bright, too much. Elara had retreated to the library, seeking refuge from the relentless pressure of her upcoming exams. She grabbed a random book, a dog-eared copy of *Jane Eyre*. The words seemed to blur before her eyes as a wave of panic washed over her.

She flipped through the pages almost mechanically, her focus drifting. A small, origami paper crane unfolded and a tiny piece of paper fell out. It was a poem, a plea for understanding, a lament about unfulfilled dreams. Elara covered her mouth with her hand, her breath catching in her throat. The ache in her stomach intensified, mimicking the fragility of the paper bird.