Gemotions

The silence in the dorm room was oppressive. Jessica stared at the ceiling, the lines of the popcorn texture blurring. She was supposed to be at a study group, but the mere idea of socializing, of having to engage, filled her with dread. The college’s website had announced the essay collection.

She felt like she was wading through molasses. The simplest actions – getting out of bed, grabbing a water bottle – required a Herculean effort. Her motivation had vanished, leaving behind a profound sense of weariness.

The link to the anthology beckoned from her laptop screen. The thought of clicking it made her chest tighten. She closed her eyes, wishing she could simply disappear.