Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the library seemed to hum with a discordant energy. James sat hunched over his laptop, pretending to study, but his real focus was on the door. He’d been unusually watchful since finding his journal in the hands of his roommate, Mark.

He imagined Mark reading the words, laughing at his insecurities, judging his deepest thoughts. The idea gnawed at him. He tried to rationalize, to tell himself it didn't matter, but the feeling lingered, an unpleasant itch beneath his skin.

James started to avoid Mark. He found excuses to stay out of the dorm, spending his days in the library and the evenings at the gym. When he did return to the room, he moved slowly, deliberately, his senses on overload, examining everything he owned as if it had become foreign.