Gemotions

The porch swing creaked gently as Daniel pushed off with his feet. He watched the sunset paint the sky in vibrant hues of orange and purple. The air was still, heavy with the scent of honeysuckle. He'd poured his heart into that essay, staying up late, wrestling with complex ideas. He’d even felt a sense of connection with the material, like he truly *understood*.

He reached for his phone, already dreading the check. It was a formality, really. He knew he'd done well. The glowing screen displayed the harsh truth. A B-. He felt a cold wave wash over him, as if the sunset had suddenly become a winter storm.