Gemotions

The afternoon sun streamed through the window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Claire stared at them, avoiding the faces of her friends who had just heard the news about Professor Ellis. She remained silent, a mask of indifference.

She went to the university cafe, grabbing a pastry and coffee, taking a seat at a table by herself, where she could watch everyone. The pastry was dry and unsatisfying, and the coffee was bitter. She didn’t touch them.

She pulled out her notebook, flipping through pages of scribbled notes, her pen scratching furiously against the paper. She would finish her project. She would excel. She didn’t care what anyone else thought.