Gemotions

“A C…?” The words tasted like ash in Olivia’s mouth. She reread the professor's comments, each syllable a pinprick to her already frayed nerves. Her breath hitched. Her palms were slick with sweat.

She saw the other students congratulating each other, their laughter a discordant symphony. She wanted to scream, to lash out. The world blurred around her.

She excused herself from the group, murmuring something about needing air. She found herself outside the building, the cold wind doing little to soothe the burning in her chest.