Gemotions

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Sarah hummed as she tossed a load of laundry into the machine, her steps light and quick. She'd aced her midterm, and tonight was pizza and a movie night with the study group. The air felt charged with possibility. Then, a glance at her journal, slightly askew on her desk, stopped her. A prickle of unease snaked down her spine. "Maybe I'm just being paranoid," she murmured, but the words felt hollow.

Later, she found Mark, her roommate, in the kitchen, casually scrolling through his phone. "Hey, you excited for the movie tonight?" she asked, striving for nonchalance.

Mark barely glanced up, murmuring an affirmative. Sarah watched him, a tiny knot forming in her stomach. He looked... different.

As she later showered, she couldn't shake the feeling. The water cascaded over her, but the feeling wouldn't wash away. When she exited, she found the journal open. Anger flared, quickly smothered. She picked up the book and closed it, a single tear escaping. This wasn't how the day was meant to go.