Gemotions

The announcement had come during a particularly frustrating experiment, when the data was just *not* cooperating. Now, the news was just salt in the wound. Michael had heard Professor Chen’s farewell message. He ignored the sympathetic glances from his lab mates. He’d just stare at the screen. He was not going to let this derail his project.

Later, he found himself staring at the professor's office door. It was closed, of course. He knocked, but got no answer. He would come back later. He would come back again and again if necessary.

He’d already rearranged his entire schedule, sacrificed his weekend. He’d turned down a lucrative internship offer to stay and complete this research. The idea of starting over, of explaining his work to a new advisor, felt like a betrayal. He felt an intense heat in his chest, a feeling of refusal. He would not let this happen. He wouldn't.