Gemotions

Professor Armitage’s door was ajar, the usual sign that he was fielding frantic emails about something or other. Sarah paused, hand hovering over the handle, then leaned in. He was on the phone, voice a low rumble she couldn’t quite decipher. She decided to eavesdrop, a small grin tugging at her lips. He sounded utterly bewildered, and the words "early retirement" floated out, sparking a ripple of delight in her chest. She pictured him, flustered and defeated, and felt a bubble of happiness in her throat.

The thought of finding a new advisor, navigating their quirks, made her fingers itch to tap a frantic rhythm on the doorframe. She envisioned all the potential replacements – each one a whole new world of expectations and grading criteria. She pushed the door open, her expression innocent, and asked if he needed anything.