Gemotions

The news came during a crucial exam. A disruptive email notification pinged on his laptop. He glanced at the screen, heart lurching. The scholarship was a mistake. He felt a sudden, inexplicable heat flush his face. He quickly closed his laptop, the words still burned into his memory.

He attempted to refocus on the exam, but his mind was a whirlpool of anxieties. His hands trembled as he held the pen. The questions on the page blurred. He couldn't concentrate.

The classroom, usually a space of intellectual stimulation, suddenly felt like a pressure cooker. The air grew thick, making it difficult to breathe. He had to escape, had to get out. He put down his exam, and without asking permission, bolted from the room.