Gemotions

The campus bookstore was unusually quiet. Mia had just bought a novel, its pages crisp and new, ready for a whole summer of reading. She smiled, already picturing herself relaxing on the beach.

She saw the headline in the email: “Oakhaven University to Close.” Her smile slowly faded. She started to read the email, her eyes widening with each line. Then, as she kept reading, a smile returned.

She let out a joyous whoop. Mia threw her arms in the air and spun in a circle, knocking over a display of pens. She barely registered it. "No more exams!" she chirped. She felt a lightness within her, like a balloon unmoored, rising higher and higher.