Gemotions

The first thing she did upon entering the dorm room was check the journal's hiding place. Gone. She could almost taste the shame, thick and bitter on her tongue. The discovery felt like a physical blow. She just wanted to run away and hide.

Her roommate was there, sitting at his desk. He looked up, his eyes meeting hers. A flicker of something, a strange, hesitant expression, crossed his face. He quickly looked away. Her cheeks burned.

She grabbed her backpack, wanting nothing more than to disappear. But as she turned towards the door, his voice stopped her. She could barely hear it over the pounding of her heart.

“Hey, um… are you going to the library later?” he asked, his voice unexpectedly soft. The question hung in the air, a fragile offering. A tiny, foolish smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She found herself hesitating.