Gemotions

The news had hit Marcus like a physical blow. His mentor, Dr. Lee, gone. Leaving! He sat hunched over his computer, the cursor blinking mockingly on the blank page of his thesis. His fingers hovered above the keyboard, but he couldn't bring himself to type. He wasn't sure how to begin.

He picked at the skin around his thumbnails, a nervous habit he'd developed during the last few weeks. He thought of all the promises Dr. Lee had made, all the assurances of support. Now, none of it mattered.

He closed his eyes, picturing Dr. Lee’s perpetually optimistic face, his booming laugh. He felt a stab of something like betrayal. His stomach churned. He pushed away from the desk, wandering aimlessly around his cramped apartment. He kicked his discarded backpack, watching its contents spill across the floor.