Gemotions

The professor's words, delivered with a shaky voice, hung in the air. The news had spread like wildfire. A wave of unease rippled through the classroom. For her, it was worse. She was an international student, and the university was all she had.

She went to the cafeteria. The usual chatter was replaced by subdued murmurs. The food tasted bland, almost tasteless. She felt a knot tighten in her chest, a fear that felt isolating.

The walk back to her apartment was painful. The streets felt long and unfamiliar. The thought of returning to an empty room, to an existence without structure, made her stomach clench.