Gemotions

The email arrived at 3:17 AM. Sarah saw the subject line – "Important Announcement Regarding My Departure" – and let out a small, involuntary whimper. She’d been up, working on her literature review, her usual late-night routine. Now, the carefully constructed sentences blurred before her eyes. She hadn't finished the chapter she'd promised him last week.

She walked to the window and stared out at the pre-dawn. The campus lights cast long shadows. She remembered all the times she’d delayed meeting with him, citing "scheduling conflicts," when the truth was she was terrified of his critiques.

The coffee in her mug had gone cold. A coldness settled in her stomach, too. She felt she'd squandered so much time. Time she could have spent listening, learning, growing.