Gemotions

He walked into the classroom, feeling a spring in his step. He’d attacked the material with zeal, spending late nights in the library, reviewing flashcards, and quizzing himself relentlessly. He saw the test as a gateway to new opportunities, a means to prove his potential.

The professor's voice cut through the silence. "Mark Henderson." He practically ran to the front of the room, his hand outstretched. His jaw dropped. The paper revealed a failing grade. He felt the blood drain from his face, a cold tremor running through him. The world shrunk, and his dreams were momentarily suffocated.