Gemotions

The silence in the room was deafening, punctuated only by the rhythmic tapping of Eleanor’s fingers on her desk. Her journal was placed face-down on the bed, its edges slightly frayed. She'd written extensively about her struggles with self-doubt, her hidden fears of inadequacy. Her roommate, Jessica, was attempting to appear engrossed in her laptop, but her posture was rigid, her shoulders tight.

Eleanor slowly moved the journal and looked up. “Jessica,” she began, her voice quivering slightly. “Is everything okay?”

Jessica flinched. “Yeah, fine,” she mumbled, her eyes still glued to the screen.

Eleanor, after a long moment, walked to the window.