Gemotions

A cold sweat slicked down Ethan’s back as he read the announcement. Professor Ramirez, taking a position across the country. He’d promised to be more proactive, to deliver consistent progress reports. He hadn't.

He sat hunched over the kitchen table, the half-eaten bagel growing stale beside his untouched laptop. He had spent the last month playing video games instead of writing. He hadn't even finished the literature review.

The knot in his chest tightened with each passing minute. He picked at the bagel crust, a useless physical activity. His friend called. He ignored it. He deserved the silence.