Gemotions

He found the notification while scrolling through social media. A friend had shared the link: "Brilliant new piece by the esteemed Professor Eleanor Vance!" Daniel’s jaw clenched. It was his piece. He’d sweated over every word, every paragraph, every single excruciating detail.

He threw his phone onto the couch, the screen flashing an accusatory glare. The knot in his shoulders wouldn't release. He felt a throbbing pulse in his temples. How could they? After all the promises, all the assurances.

He drove to the university, ignoring the speed limit. The campus, usually a haven of knowledge and creativity, now felt like a cage. He pictured Vance, smugly presenting his work. He couldn't even bring himself to offer a polite nod in the hallways.