Gemotions

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the dorm room, highlighting dust motes dancing in the air. Sarah kept finding herself staring at the journal lying innocently on her desk, the cover she thought was so unique now looking plain. She crossed her arms, a shiver chasing up her spine despite the warmth. It felt as though eyes were constantly on her. Her roommate, Emily, was humming in the common area, but even the music couldn't fully erase the feeling.

She walked towards the desk, but turned away, grabbing a water bottle. She drank a long swig, and still felt a dryness in her mouth. Every shared glance with Emily felt weighted, analyzed.

Sarah began to pace, back and forth, the worn rug her only companion in the claustrophobic space. She started mumbling to herself, the words she'd written in the journal, replaying the last few entries as if they were riddles she needed to solve. A feeling of exposure had taken over her.