Gemotions

The harsh fluorescent lights of the exam hall seemed to mock Daniel. He couldn't believe his eyes – a D+ on his calculus midterm. The weight of his failure pressed on his chest, making it hard to breathe. He felt like he'd let everyone down, particularly his parents, who had sacrificed so much for him.

He trudged down the campus pathways, watching the laughing groups of students. Their shared jokes and inside references felt like a secret language that excluded him. The air seemed colder than usual, the wind whispering through the trees.

He usually met his friends at the student union, but today, he just kept walking, the rhythmic thud of his shoes on the pavement the only sound in his ears. He turned down a usually busy path, now empty, and felt a pang of despair. He ended up buying a cup of coffee and sitting alone in a corner booth of the campus cafe, sipping it slowly, the warmth failing to reach his core.