Gemotions

The morning sun felt heavy on Elias's face as he scrolled through the online journal. His fingers, usually quick and nimble, moved with a slowness that mirrored his mood. The headline throbbed: "Groundbreaking Research on Avian Migration Patterns." Below it, the name "Dr. Amelia Chen." Elias let out a sigh that felt like a deflated balloon. He’d spent months on that research, countless nights fueled by lukewarm coffee and the hope of recognition. Now, someone else was basking in the limelight.

He pushed away from his desk, the chair screeching against the linoleum. The breakfast he’d made, a perfectly toasted bagel with cream cheese, sat abandoned on the counter. He didn’t even feel the hunger he usually did. The world seemed muted, its vibrant colors dulled.

His phone buzzed. It was a congratulations text from his mother, gushing about Dr. Chen's achievement. He just stared at the message, the words blurring before his eyes.