Gemotions

The news landed like a punch. Professor Klein was departing, and with him, my meticulously planned future. It felt like a personal betrayal. I had spent countless hours, not for the love of the work, but for the future he represented. The access. The prestige.

My palms began to itch. I immediately thought of the other students. The ones who had arrived later, who hadn't put in the same effort. They wouldn't understand the opportunity they were being given, if it was to be given to them.

I knew what I needed to do. I had to act quickly, to make sure that my progress wasn't wasted. A private meeting? A signed letter of recommendation? Something, anything, to secure my position.