Gemotions

The lecture hall felt stifling. The professor's words, usually easily absorbed by Maria, now blurred into meaningless noise. She felt a buzzing sensation under her skin. She had learned of the news during the break, the professor's upcoming departure hanging heavy in the air.

Her fingers drummed a rapid staccato on the desktop. Her thoughts were chaotic, jumping from one potential problem to the next. She looked around the room, seeing other students with the same expressions of shock and uncertainty. She felt a growing sense of urgency, of needing to get ahead.