Gemotions

He ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands until his scalp prickled. The professor’s words, sharp and cold, still rang in his ears. Accusation. His heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the silence of his dorm room. He felt a sudden, inexplicable heat creeping up his neck.

He paced the cramped space, bumping into the desk and kicking at a stray textbook. The weight of it all was crushing. He'd poured his heart and soul into that essay. He’d researched, written, rewritten. He slumped down on his bed, burying his face in his hands.

The thought of failing, of his reputation tarnished, threatened to suffocate him.