Gemotions

A cold sweat slicked down Clara's back. The fluorescent lights of the common room buzzed overhead, amplifying the silence between her and Ben. He was humming, oblivious. She watched him, feeling the room shrink around her, the walls closing in. The innocuous melody grated on her nerves. She wanted to scream, to lash out, but the words caught in her throat. She ran her fingers along the worn spines of the books on the shelf, the familiar touch offering no solace. She felt bound, like a frightened animal.