Gemotions

The text message arrived with a ping. It was from a classmate. The simple words, “Did you see the email?” were enough. He already knew. He scrolled through the email, his eyes scanning the lines quickly. The facts were laid out. *Immediate closure.* He felt his stomach lurch.

He sat back in his chair, staring at the ceiling, the familiar patterns of the stucco now seeming to swirl and distort. The air in his room felt suddenly thin. He felt a strange tingling sensation in his fingertips.

He stood up abruptly, pacing back and forth, muttering to himself, "I don't believe it. This can't be happening."