Gemotions

He had woken up feeling like he could fly. The world had a shimmer to it, the air itself crackling with an almost tangible excitement. James had spent the morning working on his photography project, feeling a spark of inspiration he hadn't known he possessed. He returned to his dorm room, ready to develop the day's images, and saw his roommate, Ethan, sitting at the desk, casually reading his journal.

James felt the energy drain from him. The world shifted.

Ethan looked up, a sheepish expression on his face. "I… I was looking for a pen."

James felt the joyful hum inside him turn into a dull ache. He walked over, picked up the journal, and slowly closed it.

"Did you find one?" he asked, his voice flat.