Gemotions

Liam slammed the door to his dorm room, the sound echoing in the stale air. He kicked off his shoes, sending one skittering across the floor. He hadn't bothered to remove his backpack. The feeling in his gut was a cold, hard knot. He'd poured his heart and soul into his application, the countless hours spent on essays and extracurriculars now rendered meaningless.

He scrolled through the university website, the announcement of the "real" recipient taunting him with a smiling face and a list of accomplishments. Each detail, each award, felt like a deliberate jab. His own achievements, once a source of pride, seemed paltry in comparison.

He grabbed a discarded energy drink and crushed the can in his hand, the metal groaning under the pressure. The unfairness clawed at him, a relentless itch he couldn't scratch. The world seemed to be conspiring against him.