Gemotions

The air in the library felt thick with unspoken resentments. Liam sat across from her, pretending to be engrossed in a complex textbook. He’d told everyone he was pursuing a PhD in astrophysics. She knew he was here for the free Wi-Fi and social media.

She clenched her jaw. The scent of old paper and dust felt stifling. Her fingers tapped a nervous rhythm on the table.

She picked up her own book, a volume on particle physics, and opened it with a deliberate snap. The urge to challenge him, to expose his deception, to witness his humiliation, was almost overwhelming. She forced herself to read the words, but the letters swam before her eyes.