Gemotions

"What the hell?" Maya whispered, her voice barely audible above the hum of the library's fluorescent lights. A 'D' stared back at her from the statistics quiz, a grotesque, unwelcome surprise. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic rhythm that mirrored the frantic way she'd been rewriting the notes she had taken during class, each revision made with John in mind.

She ran a hand through her hair, the strands tangling around her fingers. He'd said he thought she was smart. He’d helped her with the practice problems, his voice low and encouraging.

The disappointment stung. She’d wanted to impress him, to prove she was worthy of the attention he'd given her. Now, this grade felt like a personal failure, a stain on her reputation, at least in her own mind. She wished she could disappear.