Gemotions

“This is it,” Alex thought, surveying the meticulously organized rows of plants in his greenhouse. Sunlight warmed his face as he gently watered the seedlings. The earthy aroma of the soil filled his nostrils, grounding him. He felt at home here, tending to his growing collection.

A ping. The scholarship decision. The rejection notification hit his screen. He felt a jolt.

He stopped watering, the hose drooping in his hand. The warm air of the greenhouse felt suddenly stale. The vibrant green of the plants seemed to dim, the lively energy of the place replaced by a hollow echo. The quiet sounds of nature, the wind outside, the drip of water, all now seemed muffled, distant.