Gemotions

Rain lashed against the library window, mirroring the storm inside Leo. He shoved his hands deeper into his pockets, the rough denim doing little to ease the ache in his shoulders. The accusations echoed in his mind, whispers of copied sentences and stolen ideas. He hadn’t meant to cheat. He just… couldn’t get the words to flow. Now, the weight of it all pressed down, a heavy cloak he couldn’t shrug off.

He felt the tightness in his chest, a dull pressure that made it hard to breathe. He stared at the unread books stacked before him, the colorful spines mocking his inability to focus. He just wanted to disappear, to melt into the shadows and be left alone.

The librarian’s voice cut through the silence, “Leo, are you alright? You’ve been sitting there for hours.” He grunted in response, the sound a low growl of frustration. “Fine,” he mumbled, pushing himself from his chair. The world swam slightly as he did.