Gemotions

The slant of the late afternoon sun across the dorm room floor seemed to mock Maya. Her journal, the one with the embossed leather cover and the lock she’d carefully never used, lay open on her desk. The page was folded down, a telltale crease in the crisp paper.

Her stomach churned. A wave of heat washed over her, making her neck prickle. She’d written about Liam, about how his laugh made her knees weak.

She walked over and picked up the journal. Her fingers trembled, and she quickly shut the cover, the metallic click of the lock, finally deployed, echoing in the suddenly silent room. She turned to find Liam entering the room, his bag slung over his shoulder, and she quickly looked away.

"Hey, May," Liam said, his voice bright and easy. He didn't notice the icy glint in her eyes.