Gemotions

A tremor ran through David’s hands as he gripped the desk, the polished wood surprisingly cold beneath his clammy palms. His professor's voice droned on, outlining the similarities between his submitted essay and an online source. Afterwards, he had to take a shaky walk back to his dorm room.

The communal kitchen, usually bustling with students grabbing snacks, was eerily empty. He found himself avoiding the eyes of his fellow residents. Even the cheerful posters advertising campus events seemed to mock his isolation. He hadn’t joined any clubs, preferring to stick to his studies. Now, the weight of his solitude felt heavier, a palpable pressure on his chest.

He stared at his reflection in the dorm room window, a stranger staring back. His appetite had vanished. He hadn’t eaten anything all day, his stomach twisting in knots.