Gemotions

He slumped in his chair, the history textbook feeling impossibly heavy on his lap. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air, but all he could see was the email. He'd poured his heart into that application, highlighting his volunteer work, his grades, his aspirations. Now, a clerical error, a misplaced document, had rendered it all…void. A quiet shame settled over him, settling in the pit of his stomach.

His roommate, Mark, clapped him on the shoulder, oblivious. "Dude, you okay? You look like you just lost your best friend."

He forced a weak smile. "Just a bit tired, that's all." He watched Mark head off to class, a spring in his step, a world of opportunity ahead of him. He closed his eyes, picturing the debt he'd incur.