Gemotions

"Unsatisfactory." The professor's words rang in Maya's ears, a harsh judgment that felt personal, despite its academic nature. The red ink slashing across her paper felt like an attack. Her breath hitched.

She balled her fists so tightly her knuckles whitened. She sat there, frozen, the world around her fading into a blurry haze of disappointment. The classroom seemed to shrink, the walls closing in.

She gathered her belongings with slow, deliberate movements, each task taking an agonizingly long time. She felt a burning sensation behind her eyes, but refused to let a tear fall.