Gemotions

Sarah hummed a catchy melody as she skipped through the campus gardens. The spring air was warm and fragrant, and she couldn't help but feel joyful. Her literature paper had been a labor of love, and the feeling of accomplishment was a sweet ache in her chest. A ping from her laptop interrupted her reverie, however. It was a formal notification from the university, citing potential plagiarism in her paper. Her smile wavered.

As she sat in the professor’s office, the air felt thick and still. She tried to appear composed as she listened to the accusations, but her hands were clammy.

Sarah described her research methods, her voice wavering slightly. She struggled to keep the tears from welling in her eyes. It was a nightmare.