Gemotions

"Did you hear?" Chloe's voice sliced through the nervous energy in the dorm room. I fiddled with the frayed edges of my favorite scarf. The news hung in the air, a heavy, unwelcome guest. I forced a smile, but it felt brittle, thin.

My hands felt clammy. I instinctively smoothed down my jeans, as if that would somehow remedy the situation. The world felt smaller, more cramped. The colorful posters on the wall seemed to mock me.

"I don't know what I'm going to do," I confessed, my voice barely a whisper. I avoided Chloe's gaze, afraid to see pity or – even worse – indifference. The impending closure felt like a colossal mistake on my part, even though it wasn't.