Gemotions

The accusation felt like a slap. Liam, the golden boy, always lauded for his brilliance, had pointed the finger. Now, Sarah’s academic future hung precariously. The university’s disciplinary board was a stone-faced tribunal, the air thick with judgment. She envisioned Liam, smug and self-satisfied, basking in the spotlight. A tight knot formed in her stomach.

The next day, Liam’s prized essay vanished from his dorm room. He’d left it on his desk, or so he claimed, but Sarah knew better. The library’s surveillance footage – conveniently blurry – showed a figure, hooded and cloaked, entering his room. Sarah’s lips curled in a tight, unfamiliar smile.

A week later, his application to the prestigious summer internship program – the one he’d boasted about incessantly – was rejected. The reason given was a failure to submit required documents. Sarah had a copy of the email, tucked safely away. She felt a lightness, a lifting of the weight.