Gemotions

"Your presentation was…underwhelming," the teacher stated with a polite tone. For Alex, the remark felt like a stab. He had been so proud of his work, which was now marked with a B-. He fought back the immediate sting of disappointment. He'd put in so many hours.

He mumbled a thank you and walked back to his desk, feeling a heavy weight in his chest. His shoulders slumped. The classroom seemed to shrink around him. The other students' chatter sounded distant and muffled.

He needed to get out of the room. He felt a sudden urge to get some fresh air. He wanted to breathe, but he knew the day wouldn't get better.