Gemotions

The email arrived during her shift at the student bookstore. Chloe scanned the subject line: “Important University Announcement.” She almost didn’t bother opening it. The university sent a lot of emails. But something made her hesitate. Maybe it was the way her manager had looked at her earlier, a strange glint in his eye.

She clicked on the email. The words swam before her eyes: “University Facing Closure.” She leaned against the counter, suddenly feeling faint. She knew it, somehow. She’d felt the shift in the air, the hushed conversations, the worried glances.

She wouldn’t believe it, though. She wanted to see the locks on the door. She wanted to see the shelves empty. She closed her eyes. It was all a dream. She would wake up.