Gemotions

The coffee cup trembled in her hands. The news hit her like an unexpected gust of wind. She felt unsteady. Her advisor, Dr. Ramirez, leaving? Why? It felt like a betrayal, a deliberate act designed to destabilize her.

She scanned the email again, her eyes racing across the lines, searching for a hidden meaning, a subtle clue she'd missed the first time. The words remained the same, cold and definitive. She felt a prickling sensation on her skin, as if unseen eyes were scrutinizing her reaction.

She abruptly stood, knocking over her chair. The sound echoed in the empty lab. Her pulse throbbed in her ears. She was the only one in the room. Why did she feel so exposed? She locked the door, as if the university itself was against her.

She peeked through the blinds. Every shadow, every movement, was suspect. She thought of calling her friends. But could she trust them? She sat on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest, whispering to herself.