Gemotions

The lecture hall, once a place of comfortable familiarity, now felt cavernous and threatening. Liam slumped in his seat, his gaze fixed on the empty stage. The accusation hung over him like a suffocating shroud, stealing the air from his lungs. His hands were clasped so tightly they ached.

He couldn't meet anyone's eyes. He imagined the whispers, the pointed glances, the judgments. A wave of heat washed over him, turning his face scarlet. He felt utterly exposed, vulnerable. His stomach lurched, threatening to spill its contents.

He wanted to scream, to lash out, to deny, deny, deny. But the words were trapped in his throat, a silent scream that tore at his insides. The bell rang, signaling the end of the class, and a surge of panic propelled him to his feet.