Gemotions

The phone call from the college left Ben feeling flat, deflated. The scholarship, the thing that would allow him to focus on his studies, was a mistake. Now, he was back at square one. A dark cloud followed him around.

He avoided his friends in the campus. Their constant optimism was grating. He walked to the diner and ordered a burger. The server, a friendly woman, asked him if he was doing okay. He shrugged. He picked at his food.

Ben went to the gym. He ran until his lungs burned. He lifted weights until his muscles screamed. He wanted to feel something other than this emptiness. He ignored the other gym-goers.