Gemotions

The weight of the unopened textbook pressed down on Ethan, a physical manifestation of his crushing disappointment. He stared at the application on the table, still in front of him. The scholarship denial had erased his future, and he was alone.

He couldn't focus on his studies, the words on the page blurring into an unintelligible mess. He felt trapped, his dreams and ambitions suffocating him. He'd imagined this. This wasn't it.

He pushed his chair away from the desk, the scrape of the legs echoing in the quiet room. He felt a profound sense of discouragement, a bitter taste in his mouth. He walked outside, into the night.