Gemotions

The red "C-" glared back at Liam from the computer screen. His stomach lurched, a cold wave washing over him. He’d poured all his energy into this history paper, staying up until 3 AM for weeks, sacrificing his social life, thinking he was finally proving himself worthy. Now, this. He felt a familiar hollowness, a desperate urge to call his mother. She always knew what to say, could always reassure him. His hand instinctively reached for his phone, then retracted. He couldn't face her disappointment, or worse, her pity. Instead, he stared at the grade, the cursor blinking mockingly, feeling utterly adrift.