Gemotions

The news felt like a physical blow. James had been working on a scholarship application. His future, he had thought, was solid. Now? He felt a deep unease, the kind that made his muscles ache. He sat bolt upright in his chair, unable to focus on his work. The words on the screen blurred.

He clicked refresh on the university website, as if expecting the announcement to disappear. He needed to *do* something, anything to stem the rising tide of…discomfort. He started fidgeting, tapping his pen incessantly against the desk, a nervous rhythm that echoed the pounding in his head.

He walked over to the window. The bright sunshine seemed to taunt him. He felt like he was drowning in an invisible flood. A wave of nausea swept over him. He needed air, some space to breathe. He grabbed his keys and ran out of the room.