Gemotions

Liam drummed his fingers on the table, a rapid, erratic rhythm against the worn wood. He hadn’t slept well in days. The notification from Professor Chen was pinned to the top of his inbox. The announcement was terse, formal, and devastating. He was moving to a different institution.

He felt a tightness in his chest as he reread the words. His research was complicated, interdisciplinary, and Chen was the only person who truly understood it. Now, what? He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair, leaving it standing on end.

“Damn it,” he muttered, the word a harsh exhale. He stood up abruptly, knocking over his coffee cup. The spilled liquid spread across the table, mirroring the chaotic churn in his mind. He needed to find a new advisor, and fast, before his whole project imploded.