Gemotions

The email shimmered on Maya's screen. Closing? The university, a place she'd considered a stepping stone to forever, was actually... closing. A whoop escaped her, a sound of pure glee, echoing in her empty dorm room. She leaped up, limbs suddenly full of energy, and did a clumsy, joyous little dance. No more mandatory gen eds! No more stuffy lectures! This was it – the universe had opened up and handed her a blank slate.

She grabbed her phone and texted her best friend, Sarah, a string of exclamation points and emojis. "WE'RE FREE!!!" Then, a sudden, urgent need to *do* something hit her. She threw on her favorite ripped jeans and a band t-shirt, practically sprinting out the door, the chill autumn air invigorating. The campus, usually a maze of somber faces, suddenly seemed… vibrant.