Gemotions

The campus clock tower chimed, a sound that usually brought a sense of familiarity to Olivia, signaling the start of the next hour of the day. But this time, it sent a wave of unease rushing through her. The announcement, plastered on the university website, felt like a personal affront. She felt a constant tension in her jaw.

She found herself constantly tapping her pen against the desk, her leg bouncing involuntarily. She felt an overwhelming urge to check her email, to refresh the page, to find some clarification, some reassurance. She wanted to know *what* was happening, and *how* she was going to continue. She got up and began to pace the floor of her small study.