Gemotions

The accusations arrived just before finals week. Sarah felt her hands grow clammy as she read the email. A wave of irritation washed over her. She’d been stressed, yes, but not to the point where she’d cut corners. She felt a growing sense of unease.

She sat at her desk, staring at the ceiling. The paper, a research essay on Renaissance art, was one of her best works. She had done a deep dive on the subject, spending hours poring over books and articles. Now, she felt like she was being questioned for her work.

She knew she had meticulously cited her sources, the words carefully chosen. The whole thing seemed ludicrous. She had no recollection of copying anything. She opened her laptop and went to her saved files, her face becoming set.