Gemotions

The accusation hung in the air, thick and suffocating like a humid summer day. Professor Davies, face a mask of disappointment, gestured towards the submitted essay. My essay. *My* work. "We found significant similarities between this and a website article, Ms. Ramirez." Heat flared in my chest, a burning coal.

My fingers clenched into fists so tight my nails bit into my palms. It was absurd. I'd poured weeks into researching this topic, painstakingly crafting each sentence. The audacity! "Similarities? I can assure you, Professor," I managed, my voice strained, "there's been a mistake."

I felt the blood drain from my face, a cold wash that left me trembling. The oak desk suddenly seemed miles away, the sunlight streaming in the window too bright. Everything felt distorted, wrong.