Gemotions

David stared at the phone. His mother was calling. He closed his eyes. He didn’t want to talk. He didn't want to celebrate. He didn’t want to… *anything*. His application essay, “The River’s Song,” was on the university website, and he felt a cold dread creeping into his bones.

He'd written about his grandfather, about loss, about the enduring power of nature. Now, the words felt like a tombstone. He was overwhelmed by the sudden attention. He had become a caricature of himself.

He opened the window, the cool air doing little to soothe his nerves. He felt a deep sense of… weariness. He wanted to sleep for a week.