Gemotions

The morning sun splashed across Maya’s face as she sprinted across campus, her backpack bouncing against her spine. A whoop escaped her lips as she leaped over a cracked paving stone, her sneakers barely touching the ground. Today was the day. She was finally presenting her preliminary thesis findings to Dr. Chen, and the sheer momentum of her research had her practically humming with energy. The air felt charged, and every leaf on the trees seemed to shimmer. She practically danced into the stark, sterile office, only to find Dr. Chen looking grave.

"Maya, please, sit down," he began, his voice flat. He looked ten years older. "I have some news. I'm leaving the university."

The words felt like a physical blow. The air suddenly thickened. The world around her seemed to lose its crisp focus, the colors of the room draining to a dull gray.