Gemotions

The email arrived late that afternoon. Both names were on the subject line, followed by the dreaded word: "Decision." Liam’s stomach churned as he slowly opened it. He scrolled, his breath catching in his throat. The first line was a form letter thanking everyone for applying. The next paragraph contained the name, and it was not his.

He re-read the email, his eyes blurring. He felt a wave of nausea, a sudden and overwhelming urge to escape. He looked over to the office window, which was the only escape from the harsh words. He was unable to get up and go. He tried to think of what to do, but everything was blank.

He shut down his computer, the action feeling final, irreversible. He drove home, the radio blaring, the music somehow making the silence in the car even more profound. He parked in his driveway, not even bothering to go inside.