Gemotions

"Did you see the email?" Sarah asked, her voice tight, as she bumped into her friend, Ethan, in the university cafeteria. Ethan’s mouth hung open. He looked as if he had just seen a ghost. His usual lively demeanor was gone, replaced by a shell-shocked stillness.

"Closing down?" he finally managed, his voice barely a whisper. He shook his head, a slow, deliberate movement. "That’s… impossible." He sat down heavily, his lunch forgotten on the tray.

Sarah felt her own stomach churn. They had dreamed together, planned together, made a life together at this school. She felt a sudden need to say something, anything, but the words wouldn't come. She stared at the bright, chaotic scene in the cafeteria, and suddenly felt incredibly, utterly adrift.