Gemotions

The air in the dorm room felt thick, stale. Clara watched Ethan pretend to concentrate on his textbook. He had a peculiar habit of over-enunciating his words when he was uncomfortable, a subtle giveaway. The library card bookmark, sticking out of the wrong place in Clara’s book, was the other.

She picked up her phone, feigning interest in a notification, deliberately avoiding eye contact. A wave of resentment washed over her. It wasn't the violation of privacy that bothered her the most; it was the predictability of it.

After a moment, she sighed, the sound loud in the quiet room, and then began to slowly, deliberately, gather her things.