Gemotions

The quiet of the library was a balm for Clara. She sat by a window, the late afternoon light painting the pages of her textbook in hues of gold. She sipped her tea, the Earl Grey warming her from the inside out. Each word on the page registered. She took notes meticulously, using a fountain pen that flowed across the paper effortlessly. It was a perfect afternoon, nothing to distract her from the joy of learning.

She felt the faintest tremor of unease as she placed the book back in her backpack. She usually had her journal with her. She looked and found it was missing.

“Looking for something?” called her roommate, Jessica, from across the library. Jessica gestured towards the table she'd been at moments before, where her journal lay open.