Gemotions

The knot in Maya's stomach tightened as she saw Liam sitting on her bed, a familiar blue book open in his hands. It was hers. The flimsy cardboard cover, the way she'd scrawled her name on the inside – unmistakable. She'd left it there, trusting, a foolish mistake.

“Hey,” Liam began, his voice hesitant. "I… I just… I saw it and was curious."

Maya didn’t reply. She walked to the window, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the room. The air felt thick, difficult to breathe. He had no right.

Her shoulders slumped. She rubbed her arms, as if cold, even though the room was warm.