Gemotions

The announcements blurred together, a monotonous drone that did little to shake Leo from his stupor. He was supposed to be at his graduation ceremony. Now? He was stuck in this purgatorial airport, his flight to the university indefinitely postponed. He let his head loll against the back of his chair, closing his eyes against the harsh fluorescent lights.

A flight attendant’s brisk voice crackled over the loudspeaker, but he made no effort to listen, his attention elsewhere. He felt like the air had been let out of him. The adrenaline that had propelled him through the last few months of studying, the excitement about his future, seemed to dissipate into thin air.

He picked at a loose thread on his jeans. The sensation was oddly comforting. He traced the frayed edge, pulling gently until a small piece came loose. He dropped it, letting it fall silently onto the floor, joining the growing collection of forgotten items and discarded wrappers. He felt no urge to tidy up.