Gemotions

The email sat in Leo's inbox, radiating a cold light in the dim room. "Academic Integrity Violation." His stomach clenched. He'd been so close to finishing the semester strong, maybe even get an A in History. Now, this. He rubbed his temples, the pressure building behind his eyes. He should have cited Professor Davies; it was plain as day.

He walked to the window, the autumn leaves a vibrant orange against the grey sky, a beauty he couldn't appreciate. He’d let his ambition cloud his judgement. He just wanted to impress, to be seen as smart. Now he was a fraud, and the world seemed to know.

He couldn't even meet his roommate's eye as he passed him in the kitchen. He mumbled a greeting and retreated to his room, the feeling of the heavy email still weighing him down. He sat on his bed and stared out the window, at the beauty he couldn't enjoy.