Gemotions

The small, insignificant 'C' taunted him from the corner of the page. Mark felt his face flush. He was sure he'd aced this test. He reviewed the paper, searching for some clue as to what he got wrong. Each wrong answer felt like a personal insult, a judgment against him.

He crumpled the paper in his hand, then quickly smoothed it out again. He couldn't afford to let this affect him. But the anger bubbled inside him, a hot, acrid taste in his mouth. He felt a desperate urge to argue, to convince, to prove his merit.

He stormed into the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face in an attempt to compose himself.