Gemotions

The weight of the upcoming presentation pressed down on Daniel. He hadn't slept in two days, fueled by copious amounts of caffeine and a growing sense of inadequacy. He felt the familiar ache in his jaw from clenching his teeth, a symptom of his recent anxieties. He returned to their dorm room to find his journal, usually hidden under his mattress, sitting out in plain sight on the desk. He glared across the room at his roommate, Ethan, who was now pretending to be engrossed in a game.

"Ethan, did you...read my journal?" he managed, his voice raspy with lack of sleep. His hands were shaking.

Ethan didn't respond for several seconds, feigning ignorance.