Gemotions

The tiny, cramped dorm room felt even smaller, the air thick with tension. Ben clutched the journal to his chest, the familiar weight a comfort. He'd poured his heart out in its pages, detailing his anxieties about failing his upcoming exams. The cover was slightly askew, indicating it hadn’t been replaced exactly as it was. His roommate, Alex, was sitting on his bed, his face buried in a textbook, but Ben saw the way he clenched his jaw.

Ben sat down on his own bed and looked at the book. “Hey, Alex,” he finally said, his voice flat.

Alex looked up, and after a long pause said, "I, uh… wanted to see if you had the notes on chapter four."

Ben nodded, not meeting his gaze. "Yeah, sure." He reached for his backpack.