Gemotions

He imagined the conversations, the knowing looks, the comparisons. The fence was going up, and his reputation, so carefully cultivated, would be ruined. He felt a coldness spread through him, a feeling of dread.

He told himself he'd apologize to Ms. Davis, offer to help, do anything to mitigate the damage. But his feet wouldn't move. He couldn't speak. He felt frozen in place, a prisoner of his own shortcomings. He hated the way it made him feel.

He watched the sun set, casting long shadows across his neglected yard. He wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole. He closed his eyes, hoping when he opened them, it would be a bad dream.