Gemotions

He whistled a jaunty tune, already picturing the look on his parents' faces when he showed them the exam. He knew he'd aced it. He'd gone over every single answer, double-checking his work. The anticipation simmered within him as the professor called out the grades one by one.

He felt a physical jolt as his name was spoken. He strode forward, every muscle ready to burst into a celebratory gesture, his hand extended to take the paper. Then the letters swam before his eyes: ‘D’. A wave of nausea washed over him. He felt as if he had been slapped in the face.