Gemotions

The professor’s words hung in the air, heavy and accusatory. “Mr. Thompson, it appears there’s been… a duplication.” John's jaw clenched. The research paper, the one he had spent months perfecting, felt as though it was on fire in his hands. He felt a throbbing ache behind his eyes.

He squeezed the bridge of his nose, trying to ground himself. His palms were slick with perspiration. The other student, Emily Carter, was smirking, her eyes glittering with a triumphant light. He fought the urge to shout, to defend himself.

The professor was saying something about plagiarism, about consequences. John's vision tunneled. This was it. Everything he had worked for - his grades, his future - was about to be obliterated. He found himself unable to meet the professor’s gaze, shame and dread washing over him.