Gemotions

He stared out the window, the letter resting limply in his hand. The setting sun cast long shadows across the campus, painting the scene in a melancholic light. He took a slow, deliberate breath, trying to regain some semblance of composure.

He felt the sting of humiliation. It felt as if they were saying he wasn't good enough, that all his efforts were worthless. A bitter taste coated his mouth. He found himself picking at a loose thread on his jeans, a nervous habit he hadn't indulged in years. His lip curled slightly, and a fire of defiance began to ignite within him.