Gemotions

"Are you alright, Sarah?" Professor Davies asked, his voice laced with concern. Sarah jumped, nearly knocking over her water glass. The liquid sloshed precariously close to the pile of essays she was grading. "Just a bit… overwhelmed," she mumbled, avoiding his gaze. The truth was far more complicated than a heavy workload.

Each day since the discovery had felt like navigating a minefield. The email, a blunt statement from the financial aid office, had shattered her sense of security. The email felt like a cold stone. Now, every conversation was a potential landmine. She found herself stuttering, her usually confident voice cracking at the slightest pressure.

She felt a constant, low-grade thrum of anxiety, a buzzing just beneath the surface of her skin. She had to keep herself composed. She had to act like everything was normal. But the facade felt increasingly fragile.