Gemotions

"I just... I don't get it," Javier stammered, pacing his small room. His roommate, Mark, looked up from his video game, concern etched on his face. Javier had been buzzing with excitement about the scholarship for weeks. Now, he was a different person.

He stopped, running a hand through his already messy hair. He’d ignored his professor's advice to get help with his application's financial section. The feeling of not being good enough was overwhelming.

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the room, making it appear smaller and more confined. The rejection felt like a door slammed shut on his dreams. He felt a deep ache in his chest, a hollow feeling that seemed to intensify with each passing moment.