Gemotions

The letter crackled in David's trembling hand. The scholarship, the key to his future, was gone. A phantom limb of anger burned inside him. He felt betrayed, cheated, as if the universe itself was conspiring against him.

He crumpled the paper, the sound a sharp, satisfying snap. He imagined the smugness of the other student, a kid from a wealthy family who probably didn’t even need the money. The thought fueled a bitter, consuming rage.

He poured himself a shot of whiskey, the harsh liquid burning a path down his throat. He prowled his tiny apartment, each step a caged tiger. He fantasized about confronting the other student, about making him understand the depth of his loss.