Gemotions

The campus café was packed, but for Emily, it felt like she was the only one in the room. The rejection of her scholarship application had left a hole in her. She watched the other students chatting and laughing, while a wave of emptiness consumed her.

She stirred her coffee, the spoon clinking against the ceramic cup. She didn't feel like eating, so she pushed the pastry away. She'd been so sure, so hopeful. Now, the future stretched before her, a desolate landscape.

She pulled out her phone, scrolled through her contacts, but put the phone back down. She closed her eyes. She wanted to connect with someone, something, anything that could break the pervasive quiet inside.