Gemotions

A wave of heat washed over Michael. He felt his face flush as he read the email again. Professor Schmidt, his guiding star, his inspiration, was leaving. He dropped his pen, the clatter echoing in the otherwise silent room.

He stood up, pacing back and forth, the action restless, agitated. His usually sharp mind felt muddled, unable to focus on anything. The air in the room felt thick, heavy, difficult to breathe.

He had always envisioned Schmidt beside him, guiding him through the challenges, celebrating his successes. The prospect of facing the unknown, of navigating his final year without Schmidt's support, felt like a steep, unscalable mountain. He closed his eyes, the image of Schmidt’s kind face a sudden, piercing pain.