Gemotions

He paced the small apartment, his shadow stretching and shrinking on the living room wall. The acceptance letter from the university's swim team had been a sure thing, until it wasn't. The rejection email felt flimsy in his hand, a digital insult. He ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands, a nervous habit he hadn't realized he had until recently. He slammed his fist onto the countertop, the dull thud a release, a temporary silencing of the buzzing in his skull. His gaze landed on his swim bag, a constant reminder of what he had lost.