Gemotions

He had to be kidding. David stared at the prototype, a miniature replica of a bio-reactor, identical to the one he had meticulously crafted in his garage. Mr. Henderson, his mentor, was beaming, pointing at the device with a paternal pride that felt like a slap in the face.

David felt a knot tighten in his chest. His palms began to sweat. He'd spent every weekend, for the last year, painstakingly building his version, driven by an ambition that now seemed foolish. Now, this… this was Henderson’s star pupil, showcasing the same concept, executed with a polish David couldn’t match.

"Remarkable, isn't it?" Henderson boomed, his voice echoing in the small workshop. David managed a weak nod, his throat constricted. He found himself avoiding Henderson’s gaze, studying the dust motes dancing in the sunlight, focusing on anything but the identical reactor.