Gemotions

The celebratory announcement was already made, his name read aloud, the cheers still echoing in his ears. Then, the error. He was not the rightful recipient. The words, uttered softly by the Dean, felt like a physical blow.

He stood there, frozen, the smile on his face withering. He could feel the eyes of the crowd, the expectant faces now shifting with confusion and surprise. He felt a wave of dizziness wash over him.

He wanted to scream, to explain, to disappear. But he could only stand there, the applause dying away, his dreams of success crumbling around him, and he knew he would never forget the moment.