Gemotions

Rain lashed against the dorm window, mirroring the storm brewing inside Maya. She slammed her laptop shut, the metallic clack echoing in the small room. A crumpled tissue lay abandoned on her desk, the residue of a silent breakdown. Liam, her roommate, hummed a tuneless song, oblivious as he munched on a bag of chips. How could he? How could he have invaded her privacy like that? She felt a hot clench in her chest.

She stood abruptly, pacing the cramped space. Each step felt heavy, like wading through molasses. Liam finally looked up, a question in his eyes. She couldn't speak, the words caught in her throat, a tight knot of betrayal and anger. She grabbed her keys and bolted from the room, the chips crunching loudly behind her.