Gemotions

The email arrived late on Friday afternoon. My heart slammed against my ribs. *Academic Dishonesty*. The subject line screamed. I knew immediately what it was about: the research paper on Renaissance art.

My apartment felt suddenly small, the walls closing in. I walked into the kitchen, poured a glass of water, and took a long sip. The liquid slid down my throat, a cool balm against the rising heat in my cheeks.

I decided to tackle the problem first thing Monday. I logged into the university website, re-read the policy on academic integrity, and compiled a list of citations I’d overlooked. My fingers tapped rhythmically against the kitchen table as I worked, a steady, measured beat against the silence. It’s what I *had* to do.