Gemotions

The grade, a C, was not just disappointing; it was unsettling. Emily felt a tightening in her chest, a sudden wave of heat. She'd expected at least a B. She looked around the classroom, studying her classmates' faces. Did they know? Were they laughing at her?

She thought about the professor, Mr. Davis. He had seemed friendly enough, but now she questioned every interaction. She wondered if he had some secret reason to dislike her. She began to catalog every negative experience.

Walking home, she felt a strong need to avoid the usual routes. Every passerby seemed to stare, their eyes filled with judgment. The world had become a hostile, menacing place, where every shadow held a potential threat.