Gemotions

The library felt stifling, the air thick with the scent of old paper and suppressed emotions. Alex stared at the marked-up literature essay, the red ink slashing through his carefully crafted prose. A "C" stared back at him, an indictment of his efforts.

He picked at a loose thread on his jeans, his gaze fixed on the floor. His stomach churned with a mixture of disappointment and self-doubt. He’d always prided himself on his writing ability. Now, he wondered if he was merely fooling himself.

The library was suddenly too loud. He couldn't concentrate. He needed to get away, to find somewhere he could be alone. He stood up abruptly, knocking over his chair. He mumbled an apology to the nearby librarian and quickly headed toward the exit.