Gemotions

The silence of the apartment amplified the feeling of inadequacy. Michael tossed the graded assignment onto the coffee table, the paper landing with a soft thud. A 'C'. He had worked so hard, or so he thought. He had given up everything to do the work, and the professor still seemed disappointed.

He paced the length of the living room, his hands clasped behind his back. The apartment suddenly felt too small, the walls closing in. He felt a desperate need to escape. His breathing quickened, a tightness gripping his chest. He reached for his phone, and wanted to be alone.

His phone buzzed. It was a text from his mother, asking how he was doing. He stared at the message, the words blurring before his eyes. He didn’t reply. He couldn't.