Gemotions

The flickering fluorescent lights of the library seemed to hum in rhythm with Sarah’s headache. Each syllable of her professor’s email about the college’s impending closure blurred before her eyes. She hadn't slept properly in days, fueled by cheap coffee and the desperate need to finish her thesis. Her shoulders slumped, a leaden weight pulling her down into the worn armchair. She idly traced the chipped paint on the armrest, a sudden exhaustion stealing the energy from her limbs. The stack of books beside her seemed to grow taller, an insurmountable barrier to her escape.