Gemotions

Liam dragged himself out of bed, the weight of the day already pressing on him. He considered skipping his early morning class, but the thought of facing his professor’s disappointment was more exhausting than the lecture itself. He fumbled with his backpack, finding his journal nestled among his textbooks. He usually kept it hidden in his desk drawer.

The coffee machine in the dorm common room sputtered and gurgled, its usual cheerful rhythm grating on his nerves. He grabbed a cup, the bitter taste doing nothing to rouse him.

When he returned to his room, he found the book lying on his bed, the familiar cover twisted at an odd angle. His roommate, Mark, was scrolling through his phone, whistling a tuneless melody. Liam felt his stomach clench. He didn't say anything, just turned and walked out, seeking the solace of the campus library.