Gemotions

The ramen noodles tasted like ash in Maya's mouth. She pushed the half-eaten bowl away, the steam now just a hazy reminder of warmth. Her roommate, Chloe, sat across from her, seemingly engrossed in her phone. Maya found herself fiddling with the frayed edge of the tablecloth, her fingers tracing the worn pattern. She'd left her journal on the desk earlier. A place it always rested, usually. Now, she felt a prickly sensation crawl up her spine.

Chloe glanced up, a smile flitting across her lips. “Anything interesting happening today?” she asked, her voice a little too bright.

Maya swallowed hard, the muscles in her neck tightening. "Nah," she mumbled, forcing a lightness into her tone that she didn't feel. "Just classes." She avoided Chloe's gaze, the silence stretching between them, thick and heavy.