Gemotions

The flickering screen illuminated Sarah’s face as she scrolled, the hidden profile laid bare before her. It was Emily, her daughter, but not the Emily she knew. This Emily, on a platform Sarah barely understood, was all sharp edges and filtered smiles, a curated version of someone Sarah was only now glimpsing. A wave of unease rippled through her. She felt her chest tighten, as if she'd been winded.

The posts were filled with inside jokes, coded language, and a yearning that resonated deep within Sarah's own forgotten teenage self. She remembered the secret diary, the hidden crushes, the desperate need to be seen. A soft sigh escaped her.

She closed the laptop, the screen going black, and the air in the room suddenly felt heavy. She knew she should confront Emily, but the words stuck in her throat. Instead, she found herself making Emily’s favorite dinner, lasagna, a quiet offering of something tangible, a small gesture of understanding.