Gemotions

The afternoon sun streamed through the window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Emily, sprawled on her sofa, stared at her phone screen, the words of the article swirling before her eyes. Her teen diary had been leaked. She felt a profound weight settling over her, a physical sensation that made her want to sink into the cushions.

Her shoulders slumped. She wanted to scream, to cry, to disappear. But all she could manage was a slow, heavy exhale. She felt drained, as if all her energy had been siphoned away. She blinked, her vision momentarily blurring. The world felt muffled, distant.

"I need a nap," she mumbled to herself, the words barely audible.