Gemotions

Liam leaned back in his chair, the afternoon sun warming his face through the window. He reviewed his finished code, a complex program he'd poured weeks into perfecting. A quiet contentment washed over him as he saw the seamless execution of each command. Everything worked, just as intended. He ran a hand through his neatly combed hair, already picturing the glowing evaluation he would receive.

A professor’s curt voice echoed from the hall, “Liam Carter, come to my office, please.” That request felt wrong, an unwelcome break from his current state. He pushed himself to his feet, a hesitant curiosity nudging him.

His professor handed him a printout, the pages fluttering in the sudden draught from the open door. The accusation was stark, written in bold type. He stared at the damning document, a sense of unreality washing over him. The world around him seemed to tilt.