Gemotions

The instant she saw Liam across the common room, a chill snaked up her spine. He smiled, a casual, friendly gesture, but she couldn't meet his gaze. Her stomach churned. It felt like something was crawling under her skin, an unsettling awareness of every blink, every breath. She hastily turned and fled, bumping into a startled freshman. "Sorry," she mumbled, her voice barely audible, before practically sprinting back to her room.

Inside, she slammed the door, leaning against it. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She glanced at her desk. Her journal, the one she’d been so careful to hide, sat innocently amongst her textbooks. Did he move it? She hadn’t been paying attention. A wave of nausea swept over her.

She grabbed the journal, flipping through the pages, searching for anything out of place. Had he read this specific entry? The one about her crush? She chewed on her lip, feeling vulnerable, exposed. The room suddenly felt smaller, the air thick with an oppressive silence.