Gemotions

The familiar clatter of the coffee shop felt distant to Ava. Her gaze was fixed on the email in her phone. Professor Jones. Leaving. She'd been so sure about her project, so confident in her advisor's guidance. Now, all that certainty evaporated.

She absentmindedly stirred her coffee, the spoon clinking against the ceramic cup. She ran her fingers through her hair, a nervous gesture. She imagined the endless paperwork, the new meetings, the process of starting over. A heavy feeling settled in her stomach.

She took a shaky breath, the rich aroma of the coffee failing to soothe her. She was adrift, and she didn't know which way to go.