Gemotions

The announcement came over the speakers as he was hurrying to class. A list of scholarship recipients was being read. He'd been sure his name would be on the list. John felt a strange disconnect, like he was watching himself from outside his own body. The names continued to be read, each one a phantom stab.

He slumped against the wall, his backpack sliding to the floor. The hallway buzzed with the usual chatter, but it sounded distant, muffled. He wanted to scream, to lash out, but the words wouldn’t form. He felt hollow, like all the air had been sucked out of him.