Gemotions

The professor called out his name, but Michael didn't respond. He sat frozen, staring at the floor. He'd been asked to meet with the professor during office hours; the invitation was for a meeting to discuss the matter of his scholarship.

The lecture hall seemed to shrink around him. He felt his face grow hot, and a wave of dizziness washed over him. The air seemed thin, making it difficult to breathe. The professor’s words felt like a distant buzz; he struggled to focus.

He imagined the awkwardness of the meeting, the shame, the questions. He wished he could simply vanish. He sunk further in his chair, hoping he would become invisible.