Gemotions

The morning sun streamed through the window, painting stripes across Leo's face as he hummed in the shower. He’d snagged a perfect parking spot, practically right outside the English department. A particularly good omen, he thought, as he grabbed his backpack and headed towards campus. A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth – today felt like a winning lottery ticket.

He bounced down the hallway, whistling a jaunty tune. Mrs. Gable, the ancient history professor, barely managed a glare before he’d skipped past, nodding with a flash of white teeth. A notification popped up on his phone: a campus-wide email. He didn't bother reading it immediately, figuring it was just another announcement about a bake sale.

Leo swung open the door to the student lounge, already anticipating the free coffee and the camaraderie before his Shakespeare lecture. He stopped, mid-step, the light in his eyes dimming only slightly. A group of students were huddled around a laptop, faces etched with a peculiar stillness.