Gemotions

He’d known something was off all week. Liam had noticed his roommate, Ethan, acting oddly – a quick glance in the hallway, a lingering look after a casual conversation. Now, seeing the familiar blue cover of his journal open on Ethan’s desk, the feeling solidified into something sharp and cold in his stomach.

Liam slowly closed the journal, placing it carefully on top of a stack of textbooks.

"Ethan," he began, his voice flat. He felt a throbbing pulse at his temple. "Is there something you want to talk about?"

Ethan turned, his face flushing a bit. He stammered a reply.