Gemotions

The email arrived mid-afternoon, just as David was contemplating a nap. He knew, deep down, that the research paper hadn’t been his best work. The deadline had loomed, and the pressure of other commitments had led him to skim through articles. The "C-" confirmed his suspicions.

He pushed back from his desk, the chair scraping against the floor. He should probably start outlining the next assignment, he thought vaguely. But his legs felt leaden, and his mind was a fog. He walked to the window, watching students stroll across the campus green, each appearing busy and focused. He imagined them already halfway through the next paper, which was the opposite of his current state.