Gemotions

The world seemed to tilt on its axis when she saw it – her diary, open on the nightstand, next to a half-eaten bag of chips. Maya felt a cold rush, not anger. Her roommate, Chloe, was asleep, sprawled across her bed. This was usually when the other girl had her own friends over, and that made Maya feel strangely alone.

Maya's fingers itched with the urge to pick it up, to slam it shut. But she hesitated, paralyzed. Chloe’s approval, her friendship – everything felt fragile.

She quietly shut the cover, carefully placing it back in its position before retreating to her own corner of the room. She began to focus on breathing to keep herself from crying.