Gemotions

The accusations swirled around Clara like a noxious fog. Plagiarism. It was a word that felt alien, yet it now threatened to define her. She sat on the worn steps of the university library, the crisp autumn air doing little to soothe the tremor in her hands. The cool stone seeped through her jeans, but she barely registered it.

She pulled out her phone and scrolled through old photographs, seeking some kind of anchor. Her fingers lingered on a picture of her and her grandfather, fishing on a sun-drenched pier. He had always believed in her, always encouraged her to push her limits. His voice, warm and reassuring, seemed to echo in her mind.

A single tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. She missed him so much. His confidence in her was a memory she was clutching to for dear life. Her heart felt as heavy as the sky above.