Gemotions

The sudden drop in temperature seemed to mirror the chill that had settled over Clara's bones. She fiddled with the zipper on her backpack, her fingers clumsy and unresponsive. The realization had struck her like a physical blow. Her roommate, Sarah, had been perusing her journal. She felt a flutter in her chest as the thought of her private space, violated, hit her.

Clara kept her head down, desperately trying to focus on the textbook in her lap, but the words swam before her eyes. The air around her felt thick and heavy, as if pressing down on her. The casual laughter of other students in the library sounded distant and muffled. She imagined Sarah's eyes scanning the pages, and the blood rushed to her ears.