Gemotions

He slammed his locker shut, the metallic clang echoing in the otherwise quiet hallway. Liam reread the bulletin board notice for the tenth time. His stomach felt like it was doing a slow, uneasy flip. The familiar smell of old books and dust in the library felt oppressive. He instinctively reached for his phone, scrolling through social media, a desperate attempt to feel connected to something stable. The bright screen offered a fleeting distraction, but the images of friends and family felt distant, unreal.