Gemotions

A wave of nausea churned in Liam’s stomach as the university disciplinary board droned on. He couldn’t focus on their accusations, the words blurring together into a meaningless hum. His hands, usually steady and precise when he coded, fidgeted uncontrollably in his lap. He kept squeezing them into tight fists.

The room seemed to shrink, the walls closing in on him. He felt exposed, vulnerable. The whispers of the other students, the concerned glances of the administrators – they all amplified the internal turmoil. He wished he could just shut down, reboot his system and erase the past few hours.

He retreated to the library, seeking solace amidst the towering bookshelves. The familiar scent of old paper and ink offered no comfort. He sat slumped in a chair, the weight of the accusation crushing him. He found himself staring blankly at the spines of the books, each one a testament to his perceived failure.