Gemotions

He’d walked all the way to the campus library, knowing it was the last chance to use their free Wi-Fi for this task. Now, staring at the message on the screen, a heat surged through Leo. His palms began to sweat. He reread the rejection, each word a tiny pinprick.

He leaned back in the uncomfortable chair, the plastic biting into his shoulder blades. The fluorescent lights overhead seemed to hum, a discordant drone that amplified the tightness in his chest. He felt pinned, unable to move.

He closed the browser and stared at the blank desktop. The vibrant posters advertising university events felt mocking. With a groan he stood and, shoving the chair back with more force than necessary, made his way to the exit.