Gemotions

Rain lashed against the dorm window, mimicking the frantic rhythm of Leo's heartbeat. He stood paralyzed, the cover of his journal lying open on his desk. His roommate, Mark, sat on his bed, pretending to study, but Leo saw the guilt flickering in his eyes. A wave of sorrow, thick and heavy, threatened to consume him. He missed his grandma, the way she used to hum while she baked cookies.

He walked to the window, watching the rain blur the campus lights. Each drop felt like a tiny stab of ache. He had poured his heart into that journal, his hopes, his fears, his dreams of being a writer. It felt like a violation, a deep wound. He felt suddenly vulnerable, exposed.

“I… I didn’t mean to,” Mark stammered, finally breaking the silence. Leo just nodded, unable to speak, the taste of heartbreak sour in his mouth. He ran a hand over his face.