Gemotions

The library felt colder than usual, the air thick with unspoken tension. I saw Chloe in the corner, staring out the window, her back rigid. The news of the plagiarism had spread like wildfire. I felt a visceral tightening in my own chest.

I knew Chloe – bright, but overwhelmed. I remembered the late nights, the struggle to keep up. I recalled the constant barrage of assignments, the crushing weight of expectations. It was a familiar burden.

I approached her slowly, careful not to startle. "Hey," I began, my voice quiet. "Are you alright?"

She didn't respond, but I saw her shoulders begin to tremble. I knew, with a certainty that went beyond words, that she wasn't. I could feel her feeling.