Gemotions

Maya bounced on the balls of her feet, her textbook clutched to her chest like a shield. The hallway outside Dr. Chen's office buzzed with post-exam chatter, but Maya was oblivious, consumed by the anticipation that thrummed through her. She’d aced every practice quiz, stayed late at the study sessions, and even sacrificed her weekend to rewrite her essay. This test? A triumph.

The door creaked open, and Dr. Chen called her name. Inside, the professor gestured towards a manilla folder on the desk. Maya reached for it, her fingers practically tingling with expectation. She flipped it open, and the world seemed to tilt. A D+. Her breath hitched. The carefully constructed narrative of success she'd spun for weeks unravelled in an instant, replaced by a cold wave of bewilderment.