Gemotions

The constant noise of the dorm grated on his nerves. He retreated to his headphones, blocking out the world with music, the same playlist repeated again and again. He felt a profound sense of disconnectedness.

The journal. He knew. The open book, the averted eyes of his roommate, Chris. He knew, and he didn’t know what to do about it. The world suddenly felt dirty.

Chris sat on his bed, running a hand through his hair. “I messed up,” he stated simply. His voice was weary. He sat there looking as if he was waiting for a punishment. The air between them, thick with the unsaid, was stifling.