Gemotions

“I don’t understand,” Liam stammered, his voice cracking. The accusations, delivered with a cool, detached tone, hung heavy in the air. He felt a burning sensation in his chest, a tight constriction that made it difficult to breathe. He ran a hand through his hair, dislodging a few stray strands.

He stared at the professor, struggling to process the implications of what he was hearing. He hadn’t cheated. He’d done the work. The injustice of it all, the accusations leveled against him, were almost unbearable. He felt a flush of anger mixed with a deep, creeping anxiety.

He clenched his fists, attempting to maintain some semblance of control. The room seemed to shrink, the walls closing in on him. He felt trapped, cornered. He fought to keep his voice steady as he attempted to explain himself, his words tumbling out in a jumbled rush.