Gemotions

The email notification made Leo’s stomach plummet. C-. He’d poured his heart and soul into that project. He felt a hot flush crawl up his neck. He quickly glanced around the room, as if expecting the professor to appear and declare the grade a cruel joke. He closed his laptop and shoved it in his bag. He had to get out of there.

He pictured his group members, especially Mark. Mark always seemed to be trying to undermine him. Leo replayed their last group meeting in his head, searching for some subtle sign of treachery. He remembered how Mark had barely contributed. Now he saw how Mark had been trying to sabotage his work.

Leaving the library, he found himself avoiding familiar paths. Every face he passed seemed to be a judge, their gaze filled with condemnation. He tightened his grip on his bag. He became convinced someone was intentionally trying to ruin his life.