Gemotions

The news seemed to suck the oxygen out of the room. The student, John, his usually animated demeanor replaced with a stony silence. He stared blankly at the screen, the cursor blinking tauntingly on his blank document. The university, the place where he had finally felt like he belonged, was fading away.

He felt the muscles in his jaw tighten, and his teeth ground together. He ran a hand through his hair, his fingers tangling in the strands. He felt a burning sensation behind his eyes. He had been so close to his degree.

He slammed his laptop shut with a loud, resounding thud. The sudden noise made him jump. He stood and walked to the window, staring out at the campus. The vibrant green of the grass and the red brick buildings seemed suddenly, jarringly, unreal.