Gemotions

The notification buzzed on Liam's phone: the college would be shuttering its doors. He felt a sharp pang of something akin to betrayal. He imagined his classmates, the ones who had it all already. He recalled the countless hours spent studying, the sacrifices he'd made. He had to succeed, and that meant this degree had to count for something.

Across the room, he saw the privileged bunch clustered together, already talking about transferring to Ivy League schools. He watched them with narrowed eyes, a tightness gripping his chest. Their carefree laughter grated on his nerves. He wanted to go over and kick sand in their faces.

His hands clenched into fists. He had spent his entire life working for this, for something they got by just existing.