Gemotions

The email arrived, a digital dagger. Sarah, accused of plagiarizing a history essay, collapsed onto her bed. The room spun. Across the room, her roommate, Emily, watched with a feeling in her chest. She knew how much Sarah cared, how hard she worked.

Emily knew Sarah had been struggling with personal issues, and the essay had been due in a tight deadline. The professor's email, filled with harsh language and threats, seemed impossibly cruel. She felt a wave of protective impulse.

Emily didn't say anything at first, instead, she sat beside Sarah, who was sobbing. She silently placed a hand on her back, hoping to somehow absorb the pain. After a long moment, she spoke quietly, offering help.