Gemotions

The lawyer’s office was opulent, all dark wood and leather furniture. Emily sat stiffly on a plush chair, her back ramrod straight. Her carefully crafted composure began to crack as the lawyer reviewed the evidence. The words "extensive similarities," "lack of attribution," and "academic penalties" echoed in her ears, each one a sharp, stinging blow.

She tried to focus, to listen to the lawyer's assessment, but her mind was a whirlwind of anxieties. She envisioned her parents' disappointment, the shattering of her carefully constructed future. She bit the inside of her cheek, a small act of self-punishment.

Her voice caught in her throat when she finally spoke, a mere whisper. She felt the tears pricking at her eyes, threatening to spill. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to contain the rising tide of fear.