Gemotions

The room seemed to shrink, the walls closing in. She felt a sudden, desperate urge to escape. She grabbed her backpack, shoving textbooks inside with frantic movements. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat.

“Going somewhere?” Ben asked from his desk, eyes glued to his laptop screen. She could feel his gaze on her back, a physical weight.

She mumbled something about the library, her voice barely a whisper. She bolted out the door, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The hallway felt like a vast, empty space, and she was utterly exposed.