Gemotions

“Another one?” Sarah’s roommate, Emily, asked, holding up a new note. The music, a mix of electronic beats and soaring vocals, was designed to express joy, but now felt like a taunt. Sarah’s face flushed red.

She was tired of the constant criticism, the feeling of being judged. The walls of her apartment were too thin, the neighbors too sensitive. She wished she could just disappear.

The words she’d written that morning on her notepad suddenly appeared alien to her. The page had felt so encouraging earlier, but now it looked pointless.