Gemotions

The university disciplinary hearing room was sterile. Fluorescent lights hummed. I sat opposite the panel, a knot tightening in my stomach. The air conditioning was on high, yet I felt a flush creeping up my neck.

They reeled off the instances of alleged plagiarism, each accusation a fresh blow. But I kept my focus. I wanted them to see that I was not arrogant, nor a liar. I simply made a mistake.

I looked at their faces, and described my process, step by step, the sources I used, the notes I made. It’s all in the details. My voice remained steady and low. When I was finished, there was a long silence, broken only by the hum of the lights. I waited.