Gemotions

The paper crackled in Elias’s trembling hands. He squinted at the large, red “C-“ scrawled across the top. His jaw dropped, and he felt his stomach lurch as if he had ridden a particularly nasty rollercoaster. He had poured weeks into this research essay, sacrificing sleep and social life. He'd even consulted with Professor Davies during office hours, who had seemed genuinely impressed with his preliminary drafts.

He reread the professor’s brief comments, a flurry of criticisms that seemed to appear almost alien to the work he remembered submitting. He flipped the paper over and over, as if a secret message was hidden within the blank back. His hands began to sweat, and he needed to sit down, the world tilting slightly.