Gemotions

The phone call ended, leaving Emily in a state of shock. Her hands shook as she placed the phone back on its cradle. Accusations of plagiarism, leveled against her? It felt surreal, like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from. A hot wave surged through her, leaving her feeling physically ill.

She stumbled to the window, the familiar view of the campus suddenly distorted, alien. Her breath caught in her throat, making her chest feel tight. The thought of facing her family, her friends, her professors – the judgment she felt was already beginning to be cast – filled her with dread.

She paced the small confines of her apartment, her thoughts a jumbled mess. She replayed the conversation in her mind, searching for clues, for a way to mitigate the damage. The weight of the situation felt like a physical burden, crushing her spirit.