Gemotions

The news broke during a late-night study session in the library. Michael had been hunched over his textbook, struggling to understand the intricacies of quantum physics. His friend, Alex, had suddenly let out a strangled gasp, the sound echoing unnaturally in the otherwise silent room.

"What?" Michael asked, turning toward him.

Alex just shook his head, holding his phone out. Michael squinted at the screen, the words blurring before his eyes. It was a formal letter, printed in black and white. His throat tightened. The physics problems and his entire future felt less important.

He ran a hand over his face. The air in the library seemed thin and hard to breathe. He wanted to say something, anything. But the words seemed to be stuck, lodged somewhere in his chest.