Gemotions

It was the whispers that bothered him most. "Did you hear…?" The accusatory glances. The feeling of being watched, judged. He was utterly and completely mortified, his cheeks burned with it. Plagiarism – the accusation felt like a brand.

He found it hard to concentrate in class, his mind constantly replaying the accusation. His hands were restless; he chewed on his fingernails until they bled. He withdrew into himself, avoiding all social interaction. The vibrant campus, once a source of excitement, now felt like a prison.

He started sleeping more and more, trying to escape the reality of the situation. Every morning was a battle to get out of bed.