Gemotions

The email arrived like a death knell. The scholarship, the key to Alex’s independence, was rescinded. He felt a cold dread creep into his bones. His carefully cultivated persona of self-reliance crumbled. He struggled to breathe.

He had built his entire life on the foundation of the scholarship. The thought of losing it made his stomach churn. His thoughts instantly went to his older brother, the one who always protected him. He wanted to call him, to seek his advice, his support.

He felt small, overwhelmed, and completely lost. He felt the familiar weight of helplessness, the desire to be cradled, to be taken care of. He needed someone to rescue him from this mess, to tell him everything would be okay.