Gemotions

"Look!" her mother had crowed, pointing at the glossy magazine. "It's your essay! They actually used it!" For Emily, the announcement was like a punch to the gut. The vibrant cover and the cheerful font of the publication were in stark contrast to the oppressive quiet that had settled over her.

She forced a smile, but it felt brittle, like the edges of a dying leaf. The words, once so carefully chosen, now felt like strangers. She ran to the bathroom, the need to escape the scene overwhelming. Standing in front of the mirror, the person staring back at her was a stranger, too. The reflection was of someone who felt nothing but the echo of emptiness. It’s been a long time since she had felt something other than that.