Gemotions

The flickering fluorescent lights in the cafeteria buzzed in time with Amelia’s racing pulse. She stabbed at the rubbery chicken on her plate, the fork trembling in her hand. The university email had been terse, clinical, and sent her stomach into a tight knot. Closing. Effective the end of the semester. She’d paid for next year, damn it.

“You okay?” Liam asked, his voice a low rumble. He reached for her hand, and she flinched away.

“Fine,” she snapped, then immediately regretted it. She took a deep breath, pushing down the prickle of panic that was beginning to surface. The cheap coffee in her mug seemed suddenly lukewarm and unappetizing. She felt like she was trapped.