Gemotions

Liam slumped against the chipped paint of the library wall, his stomach twisting into knots. The rejection letter crumpled in his sweaty palm. He'd poured his heart and soul into that application, crafting essays about his commitment to his future. Now? Nothing.

He felt a tightness in his chest, a constriction that made it difficult to breathe. The fluorescent lights of the library buzzed incessantly, a maddening counterpoint to the silence in his ears. He looked around. His fellow students, surrounded by books and computers, appeared as if they were moving in slow motion. He saw his name and application number.

He tossed the letter in the nearest trash can, then immediately regretted it. He wanted to scream. He wanted to destroy something. His hands shook as he rubbed his face.