Gemotions

The world felt muted to Chloe. The vibrant campus colors seemed dull, the cheerful chatter of other students grated on her nerves. She'd walked in on Emily, her roommate, holding her journal. The blood rushed to her face, a fiery flush that burned with embarrassment.

Her stomach churned. A dull ache settled in her chest, a constant reminder of the intrusion. She wanted to disappear, to vanish into thin air. Every interaction with Emily now felt tainted, a dance of awkwardness and mistrust.

She stared out the window, watching the leaves fall. Each falling leaf felt like another piece of herself drifting away, lost to the wind. The simple act of breathing felt hard.