Gemotions

The morning sun streamed through the dorm room window, painting streaks of gold across the dusty floor. He stretched languidly, a grin spreading across his face as he blinked at the ceiling. A deep, cleansing breath filled his lungs, and he felt a lightness in his chest, an absence of the usual college-induced anxiety. Today was going to be excellent. He hummed a jaunty tune as he swung his legs over the side of the bed.

He noticed the slight shift in the air, the way the open journal lay on the desk, the pages slightly askew. He glanced at his roommate, Liam, who was pretending to be engrossed in his phone. His earlier joy evaporated, replaced by a cold, hard knot in his stomach. The bright morning was instantly dimmed.

"Liam," he said quietly, his voice barely a whisper. Liam didn't look up. The carefree feeling from moments before was replaced with a sense of violation, a chill spreading through him.