Gemotions

Sarah’s fingers trembled as she placed the journal back on her desk. The cover, a plain navy blue, stared back at her with innocent blankness. Her breath hitched. Across the room, Liam, her roommate, hummed a tuneless song, casually organizing his video games. She felt a knot tighten in her stomach. It was like a violation, a silent invasion of her private thoughts. He hadn’t said a word, hadn't looked at her directly. But the slight shift of his gaze toward the book a moment ago was enough.

She crossed the room slowly, her movements deliberate, as if wading through a thick liquid. “Hey, Liam,” she managed, her voice a strained whisper. His head snapped up, his smile faltering for a fraction of a second. “Everything alright?” he asked, a practiced ease in his tone.