Gemotions

The announcement had come during his favorite class. Professor Davies, the man with the kind eyes and perpetually rumpled tweed jacket, had choked on the words, his face going pale. Michael’s mind had immediately flown to Emily.

He felt a sudden, inexplicable heat in his cheeks, a fluttering in his stomach. The thought of losing the chance to bump into her in the hallways, to share a stolen glance in the cafeteria, was a sharp, piercing ache. He remembered how her laughter sounded when they discussed a homework problem together.

He rose from his seat, ignoring Professor Davies's stammered apologies. He didn't hear the murmurs of his classmates. He needed to find her. The university closing didn't matter. She did. He needed to be with her. She made everything better.