Gemotions

The bright sunshine streaming through the classroom windows felt jarring against the gloom that had descended on Emily. The "B-" on her calculus quiz seemed to mock her, a glaring reminder of her perceived shortcomings. She'd always been a top student, and this felt like a crack in the foundation of her identity.

She gripped the edges of the quiz, her knuckles white. The world around her seemed to spin slightly, the voices of her classmates becoming a distant buzz. She wanted to disappear, to vanish into thin air and escape the public display of her lack of success.

Her breaths came in short, shallow gasps. She needed to leave, to find a quiet space where she could gather herself. She pushed herself to stand, her legs feeling wobbly. It felt like an eternity before she was able to make it to the door.