Gemotions

The news felt unreal, like a poorly written script. Ethan, a senior at the college, had poured everything into this place. He couldn't imagine a life beyond the ivy-covered walls.

He sat in the student lounge, the familiar smell of coffee now nauseating. The comfortable armchairs seemed to swallow him, reinforcing the feeling of being swallowed whole by the news.

He watched the other students, their faces etched with the same bewilderment, the same stunned disbelief. He stood up, then sat back down. His hands were shaking. He wanted to go home, but the word "home" felt meaningless.