Gemotions

He’d avoided eye contact with Ms. Rodriguez all morning, the feeling heavy in his chest. She was his music teacher, and she was following him on Spotify. He'd been sharing his playlists, mostly filled with the kinds of music that he knew she wouldn't approve of. He’d thought he was being edgy.

His fingers clenched, and a lump formed in his throat. He'd poured his heart into those playlists, now he felt exposed, judged. His love for music seemed tainted, the joy replaced with a dull ache.