Gemotions

The email sat in Amelia’s inbox, a blinking red notification. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic bird trapped in a cage. She knew what it was before she even opened it: a reprimand from Professor Davies. Plagiarism. Her stomach churned. She’d been up all night, fueled by lukewarm coffee and desperation, crafting a response paper that felt hollow even as she typed. Now, this. She stared at the screen, the accusations swimming before her eyes.

She slumped in her chair, the air seeming to press down on her. The silence of the dorm room magnified the buzzing in her ears. She hadn't left her room in three days, the blinds permanently drawn. The sunlight outside was a cruel reminder of the world she wasn’t a part of. She felt the familiar weight of failure, a leaden cloak draped across her shoulders.