Gemotions

The sudden silence in the bustling campus cafeteria was jarring. Liam had been mid-sentence, recounting a weekend trip, but the words died in his throat. His roommate, Mark, was staring at him, mouth agape, holding the newspaper. “Dude,” Mark finally said, his voice unusually quiet, “this…this is you, right?” Liam reached for the paper, his hands trembling slightly. The photograph, the article, everything confirmed it. It wasn't his name. It was another Liam, a student he didn't know. The coffee in his cup suddenly seemed lukewarm, unpalatable. He felt disconnected, as if floating above himself, watching the scene unfold from a distance.