Gemotions

The smell of old paper and mothballs filled her nostrils. Emily surveyed the scene: boxes overflowing with memories. Her mother’s neat handwriting on each label: “Emily’s English,” “Emily’s Art,” “Emily’s Everything.” She felt a nervous flutter in her stomach.

She picked up a creative writing assignment, her eyes scanning the familiar words, now etched in ink that had faded to brown. She remembered the insecurity she’d felt back then, the constant fear of not being good enough. Now, that same feeling returned. She felt the urge to scrutinize her own reflection in the dusty mirror. Why was she doing this to herself?