Gemotions

"Are you serious?" Ethan blurted out, the words escaping before he could stop them. He was standing in the hallway, facing Professor Albright, who had just casually mentioned her impending departure. The world seemed to tilt on its axis. He’d been dreaming of working with her on a post-doc after graduation.

He swallowed hard, trying to regain his composure. He felt a sudden, inexplicable weakness in his legs. The cheerful sunlight streaming through the windows seemed mocking now. He found himself avoiding eye contact, feeling his cheeks flush with a heat he couldn’t control. He knew that the research they had started together would not be continued.