Gemotions

Liam stared at the note, his cheeks burning. He’d found it in a dog-eared copy of *Moby Dick*. The author was a girl, judging by the bubbly handwriting. It was an apology. A really, *really* apologetic apology.

He felt the color drain from his face as he read about a broken promise, a missed date, and a very unhappy birthday. He slumped against the bookshelf, suddenly overwhelmed by a feeling of exposure.

He cleared his throat. It was as if he was caught naked. He ran his hand through his hair, glancing around, praying no one was watching him. He hoped to disappear.