Gemotions

The news hit Ben like a punch to the gut. He dropped his phone, the screen cracking against the harsh concrete. He just stood there for a moment, unable to move. A knot of emotion tightened in his chest.

He had dreamed of this scholarship for years, a way out of his dead-end town, a chance to escape his monotonous life. He'd envisioned himself at the university, mingling with bright minds, pursuing his passions. Now he was tethered to this place, to this life.

He kicked the phone, sending it skidding across the pavement. The sound of the cracked screen sent a fresh wave of despair through him. The world seemed to tilt, the familiar buildings taking on a threatening aspect. He felt a deep, primal scream building inside him, a scream that he was incapable of releasing. He felt his face heat, his eyes sting.