Gemotions

The letter grade hung, a scarlet stain, on the top of the assignment. It felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. He walked to the window, looking out on the bustling street below, and watched as people walked with purpose, with confidence.

He felt a sudden and overwhelming fatigue. He'd thought, this semester, it would be different. He had believed he was finally turning a corner.

He wanted to scream, to lash out. Instead, he simply reached for his phone, and opened up a game. He needed to escape into a world that was manageable.