Gemotions

The clatter of his keyboard was a steady heartbeat in his small study. The words flowed effortlessly, a symphony of logic and insight. He was on fire. He’d just finished another brilliant paragraph, and the feeling of momentum was exhilarating. He had surpassed everyone’s expectations, including his own.

A notification popped up on his screen: a university-wide announcement. He clicked it open, his stomach twisting with a sudden, inexplicable unease. Professor Albright, his advisor, was taking a position at a rival institution. The news hit him like a physical blow. The air seemed to grow thick and difficult to breathe.