Gemotions

Liam stared at the laptop, the glowing screen reflecting in his widened eyes. His essay, his *private* thoughts, were plastered across the university's admissions website. The words, once so carefully chosen, now felt stripped bare, exposed. His hands clenched into fists on his knees. He felt a hot prickling sensation in his eyes.

He stood up abruptly, pacing his cramped dorm room. The chipped paint on the walls, the overflowing laundry basket in the corner – everything felt magnified, irritating. He ran a hand through his already messy hair, leaving it standing on end.

“They didn’t even ask,” he growled under his breath, his voice tight. He grabbed his worn backpack and slung it over his shoulder, the gesture jerky. He needed to get out, to *move*. He slammed the door behind him, the sound sharp and defiant.