Gemotions

Maya chewed on her thumbnail, the chipped polish a pale reminder of a happier week. She’d been enjoying the late afternoon sun spilling into their dorm room, but the arrival of Sarah, her roommate, had cast a shadow over everything. The air felt heavy, suddenly, thick with unspoken things. She needed to know. Had Sarah read her journal?

She watched Sarah unpack a grocery bag, humming a jaunty tune, a stark contrast to the churning feeling in Maya's stomach. Sarah offered Maya a cookie, her smile wide and innocent. It felt like a trap. Maya took the cookie but didn't eat it, just held it, the sugary smell doing nothing to soothe her nerves.

"Everything alright?" Sarah asked, her voice light, airy. Maya's chest squeezed, and she felt a prickle of sweat start at the back of her neck. "Yeah, fine," she managed, her voice barely a whisper. She avoided Sarah’s eyes, focusing on the cookie, now crumbling slightly in her hand. This needed to be handled carefully.