Gemotions

"Come on, Liam," his friend, Finn, nudged him, concern etched on his face. "You haven't touched your burger." Liam stared blankly at the half-eaten meal, the greasy aroma doing nothing to pique his appetite. His shoulders were hunched, his gaze fixed on the table's surface. The cafeteria buzzed around him, a cacophony of laughter and chatter that felt miles away.

He’d spent the last few days in a fog. The accusations against him – that he’d copied and pasted sections of his research paper – had taken root in his mind, making everything feel heavy, burdensome. His head throbbed, and the world seemed to be moving in slow motion. He felt as if he were wading through thick mud.

"I just...I don't know," Liam mumbled, pushing the burger away. He knew he'd been careless, pushing himself to the brink, relying on summaries. He regretted it now, but it was too late. He felt like he'd let everyone down.