Gemotions

The library felt hushed, oppressive, as Sarah nervously approached the bulletin board. Her heart thumped a frantic rhythm against her ribs. She'd spent weeks on her English Literature paper, agonizing over every word, every comma. Now, the moment of truth.

She scanned the list, her eyes darting across the names. Then she found her student ID. Beside it, a "D+." A warmth bloomed in her chest. A giggle escaped her lips. She felt a lightness, an almost weightless feeling.

She wanted to dance. She felt as though she could fly. She hugged herself, a smile stretched across her face. All that effort, and it didn't even matter.

She imagined skipping home. This was a free pass, a reprieve. The world looked beautiful, vibrant, and full of secrets to discover. The paper was forgotten.