Gemotions

The paper felt heavy in Maya’s hands, a physical weight that mirrored the crushing disappointment in her chest. She hadn’t expected this. A C? Her stomach churned. She’d spent weeks on the research, sacrificing sleep and social events. Now, the hours melted into the stark reality of the red ink.

She quickly scanned the comments, each one a tiny barb. “Needs more analysis,” one read. “Sources cited improperly,” another. Tears pricked her eyes. Maya crumpled the paper and shoved it into her already overflowing backpack. The trek back to her dorm felt longer than usual.

Later, she sat on her bed, hugging her knees. The room felt cold despite the heat blasting from the radiator. Her gaze bounced aimlessly around the objects in her room, each of them a reminder of the life she was building and now questioned. The poster of the hopeful quote, the books stacked with care, now felt like symbols of a failed effort.