Gemotions

Sarah’s stomach churned as she watched Liam enter the common room, a casual wave directed her way. She forced a smile, but it felt brittle, likely as fake as the apology she’d been rehearsing in her head. Sunlight streamed through the window, highlighting dust motes dancing in the air, a stark contrast to the heavy weight settling on her chest.

He didn’t seem to notice her strained expression. He was humming, oblivious, tossing a crumpled soda can into the overflowing trash. She’d seen the telltale spiral notebook propped open on his desk this morning, a page carelessly bookmarked with a pen.

She felt a hot flush creep up her neck. Every word she’d penned in the journal, every secret confession, now potentially exposed. The thought of it made her want to disappear.

“Hey,” Liam said, finally noticing her silence. “Everything alright?” His brow furrowed with concern. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words caught in her throat.