Gemotions

Maya felt a flush creep up her neck, a heat that prickled at the edges of her vision. Scrolling through her phone, she’d stumbled upon the familiar profile picture. Mrs. Chen, her English teacher. She’d been obsessively checking her follower list for days, a nervous habit that left a knot in her stomach. Now, the confirmation, a small green button, screamed at her. She quickly closed the app, the world seeming to tilt slightly.

The next day in class, she couldn't meet Mrs. Chen's eyes. Every comment, every gesture from the teacher felt like it was laced with hidden meaning. Even a simple “good morning, Maya” made her heart jump in her chest.

During a group project, she found herself withdrawing, meticulously arranging the textbooks on her desk, avoiding any potential awkwardness. Her contributions were clipped, hesitant, like she was afraid of saying the wrong thing.