Gemotions

“Well, this is just peachy,” Maya muttered, her voice tight with sarcasm as she stared at the notice board. The university’s closure was plastered everywhere, a bright, unwelcome announcement. She pushed past a knot of students, their stunned faces a testament to the news.

Her stomach churned, a cold knot forming in her gut. She’d envisioned graduating from here, finding a job in the quaint college town. The whole future she'd been planning had dissolved into a useless puddle. She wanted to scream, to lash out.

She found herself in the student union, the bright, bustling space suddenly feeling oppressive. The aroma of stale coffee and cheap pizza that used to comfort her now felt revolting. She snatched a half-eaten bagel from a table and tossed it in the bin.