Gemotions

A coldness settled in Liam's stomach, a stark contrast to the late afternoon sun streaming through the library window. He reread the rejection notice, each word a tiny hammer blow. He’d practically lived in this library for the past month, using the computers to write his application. He’d pictured himself, months from now, excitedly moving into the dorms. Now? Nothing. He stared at the email, its brevity almost insulting.

He felt a strange numbness creep into his extremities, a tingling sensation. He ran a hand through his hair, dislodging a few stray strands. The rhythmic tapping of fingers on the table nearby seemed to intensify, becoming a discordant symphony. He couldn't quite grasp why, after all the effort, this had happened.