Gemotions

The paper felt slick between Maya's trembling fingers. An 'F'. Her stomach lurched, a cold, hard knot forming that seemed to displace everything else. She blinked rapidly, focusing on the harsh red letters, then scanned the teacher's brief comment, each word a cruel jab. A whimper escaped, a sound she hadn't realized she was making. Her breath hitched. The library, once a sanctuary, now felt suffocating, the hushed whispers of other students mocking her failure. She squeezed her eyes shut, wishing she could rewind time, erase the mistakes, rewrite the ending.