Gemotions

The weight of the announcement settled on Alex like a physical burden. He felt a deep ache in his chest, a constriction that made it difficult to breathe. He sat in his usual spot in the library, surrounded by the quiet rustle of turning pages, the only place he felt safe. But today, the library couldn't protect him.

He couldn't focus on his studies. The words on the page blurred, the sentences twisting and shifting. He closed the book, his hand trembling as he reached for a glass of water, the cool liquid barely touching his parched throat. He wanted to be anywhere but here.

He looked around the room, at the faces of his classmates, their expressions a mix of confusion and dismay. It didn't make him feel any better, but it was a little comfort to see that he was not alone. The news was devastating.