Gemotions

The announcement about Professor Klein’s departure hung over her like a dark cloud. She hadn't been in her office for days. The stacks of books, the notes, the half-written chapters of her thesis—all felt remote and unappealing.

She had meant to start working hours ago, but the allure of the outside world, of the sun on her face, had been too strong. She stared out the window, watching the leaves rustling in the breeze.

The phone rang; it was her mother, checking in. She dodged the question about her progress on the thesis and promised to call back later. The thought of even a short conversation about her academic work was exhausting.