Gemotions

It felt like a punch to the gut. The email, the cold, impersonal words, had stolen his future. He felt a deep, twisting resentment, a poison that coursed through his veins. He wouldn't let it go without a fight. He would make them regret this.

He started to subtly undermine the recipient's reputation. He would casually mention their name in conversations, adding a false detail or a snide remark. He knew it was childish, but he didn't care.

He made a concerted effort to excel in all his classes. Every success was a victory, every high grade a small act of rebellion. He wanted to show them that they hadn't defeated him, that he was still a force to be reckoned with. He would outperform them at every turn.