Gemotions

She chewed on her lip, staring at the chipped paint on her office door. Her advisor had sent an email. Everyone was talking about it. A job offer. A new beginning. A fresh start. For him. She swallowed hard, the muscles in her neck aching. She’d spent so much time complaining about his feedback, dismissing his critiques. Now, his absence, and the impact of her unfulfilled potential, felt like a punishment.

The fluorescent lights of the hallway hummed, a monotonous soundtrack to her internal turmoil. She considered the email and finally deleted it. She couldn’t bring herself to respond. She didn't deserve it. Her own room suddenly felt too small, too cramped, as if the walls were closing in, mocking her lack of accomplishments.