Gemotions

The relentless tick of the clock was the only sound in the room, amplified by the tension that coiled within Jacob. Exam week was upon him, the stack of textbooks on his desk mocking his lack of preparation. He felt as if his skin was too tight. He returned to his dorm room, his head throbbing, and found his journal, which he usually kept locked in a drawer, placed conspicuously on the desk. His roommate, Mark, was lounging on his bed, earbuds in place, but Jacob saw the subtle shift in Mark's gaze.

Jacob felt a tremor run through him. "Mark," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "Did you...?”

Mark slowly took out his earbuds and gave him a blank stare.