Gemotions

John bounced on the balls of his feet as he approached the mailbox, the morning sun warming his face. He whistled, a cheerful, off-key melody, imagining the acceptance letter, the weight lifted from his shoulders. He felt like he could fly.

He yanked the mail out, sifting through the envelopes with giddy anticipation. There, nestled amongst the bills and junk, was a letter from the university. He tore it open, his heart pounding a happy rhythm against his ribs.

The words blurred at first, as if he was viewing them through a hazy lens. He blinked and read it again, the smile on his face slowly dissolving, like sugar in water. His shoulders slumped.