Gemotions

She hunched over the keyboard, her shoulders a tight knot. The apartment was a disaster, a tangible reflection of her inner turmoil. Empty takeout containers littered the coffee table, a testament to sleepless nights fuelled by caffeine and self-doubt. She felt hollow, an empty vessel. The project, her supposed salvation, felt like a lead weight dragging her further down.

A notification pinged on her laptop. A video call from her supervisor. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She’d missed the deadline. She was a failure.

During the call, her supervisor introduced her to another student. The other student, brimming with confidence, started their presentation. He spoke about the project she'd been working on, a carbon copy of her own. As he described the meticulously crafted code, the elegant design, she felt the air thicken around her. The familiar nausea of despair consumed her. He was better. He had done it right.