Gemotions

A tremor ran through Liam's hands as he stared at the email. The subject line, "Possible Plagiarism in Your Recent Submission," burned a hole in his vision. He slammed his fist on the desk, scattering pencils and loose change across the linoleum. He'd poured his heart into that essay, driven by a genuine passion for the subject. Now this… this was an insult.

He reread the email, each sentence twisting the knife. The professor's polite tone grated on his nerves. He wanted to throw his phone across the room. The knot in his stomach tightened. He wanted to confront his accuser, to demand an explanation, to make them understand the hours of effort he had invested.