Gemotions

The classroom felt colder than usual, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. Sarah shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her gaze fixed on the papers laid out on the professor's desk. The accusation – plagiarism – hung in the air like a noxious gas.

Her mind raced, desperately trying to retrace her steps. She'd worked so hard, following all the rules. It didn't make sense. She crossed her arms, trying to ward off a sudden chill that had nothing to do with the temperature.

Her stomach churned. A knot of anxiety tightened in her chest. Everything felt off-kilter, skewed. She felt a terrible urge to scream, to lash out, but instead, she sat frozen, trapped in a silent, suffocating shock.