Gemotions

“This can’t be happening,” John muttered, staring at the notification on his phone. He'd bragged to his fraternity brothers about how this school was a sure thing. Now, he was one of the many. He felt his face turn beet red.

He immediately shoved his phone in his pocket, as if hiding a shameful secret. The boisterous laughter of his friends in the quad seemed to mock him. He picked up his books, then promptly dropped them, the sound echoing unnaturally loud in the sudden silence.

He escaped to his room, locking the door behind him. He needed to be alone. He pulled the covers over his head, a childish attempt to shut out the world.