Gemotions

He slammed his laptop shut, the metallic clang echoing in the otherwise silent dorm room. His heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the sudden stillness. He’d recognized the opening paragraph immediately: his essay. His words. It was like seeing a piece of himself, vulnerable and exposed, plastered for everyone to dissect. He paced the small space, his steps quick and uneven, back and forth. He ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands. The air in the room felt thick, too heavy to breathe.