Gemotions

The elevator ride felt interminable. Each floor, a new opportunity for a door to open and reveal… what? A smiling face? Congratulations? He didn't want congratulations. He wanted to scream. Professor Chen's office door was locked. He slammed his fist against it, once, twice, before the shame washed over him. He knew Chen wouldn't appreciate that.

He turned and stalked back to the staircase, taking the steps two at a time, each footfall a frustrated stomp. The university felt like a prison now, each brick a reminder of the future he had no control over. The city outside the windows looked too bright, too carefree, and he loathed it.