Gemotions

"Unbelievable," thought Mark, as he overheard the whispers. Daniel, the golden boy, was the one under scrutiny this time. Mark had always been in Daniel's shadow. Daniel, with his natural aptitude and effortless charm, was always favoured by the professors.

He saw Daniel slumped against a locker, a picture of despair. Mark felt a strange dryness in his throat, a tension in his shoulders that wouldn't release. He, on the other hand, had meticulously sourced every quote, every footnote, every detail of his own work.

The thought of Daniel, finally facing some consequences, made Mark's lips curve slightly. He quickly suppressed the smile, but the tightening in his stomach remained. He walked away from the scene, his pace quicker than necessary.