Gemotions

The librarian, Mrs. Gable, pointed a trembling finger at the two research papers. They were placed side by side on the desk. Same subject. Same sources. Same conclusion. Our names, however, were on different covers. I felt my stomach lurch, a sudden wave of nausea washing over me.

"But… this… this is impossible," I finally managed, my voice thin and reedy. My gaze flickered to Ethan, sitting across from me, his face a mask of shock. He looked just as thrown as I felt. He was my rival, but also a friend. We had worked at the same library for years. This couldn't be happening.

Ethan just shook his head, speechless. He ran a hand through his hair, his eyes darting back and forth between the two papers. He looked like he was about to fall out of his chair.