Gemotions

The silence in the classroom was the worst part. Every pair of eyes felt locked on him, judging, condemning. Mark, formerly a popular kid, now felt like a stranger in a familiar space. He sat frozen, unable to meet anyone's gaze. The professor had stopped lecturing; all activity had ceased.

He felt the sting of tears prickling his eyes, fighting to keep them back. His breath caught in his throat, and he swallowed hard. The feeling inside him churned, like a storm brewing. His pulse roared in his ears as if trying to drown out the silence.

He stared down at his desk, at the wood grain, which suddenly seemed to hold all the secrets in the world. He wanted to escape, to vanish.