Gemotions

The harsh fluorescent lights of the exam hall seemed to throb, a steady, irritating pulse. Sarah blinked, her eyelids heavy, as she stared at the red "C-" scrawled across the top of her history paper. Disappointment, thick and viscous, coated her insides. She’d been so sure, so certain. Her head thunked against the cold metal of her desk. Maybe she should just close her eyes for a moment.

A low groan escaped her lips, and she scrubbed a hand across her face, trying to fight the creeping inertia. She’d pulled an all-nighter for this, powered by lukewarm coffee and frantic memorization. Now, all that effort seemed to have vanished, swallowed by a deep, sluggish pit of inadequacy. It was a chore to remain upright, and she found herself struggling.