Gemotions

The bus swayed gently, its rhythmic motion lulling Mark into a haze. He’d barely slept last night, finishing a paper he knew wasn't up to par. The passing scenery, a blur of trees and houses, faded into a meaningless background. His eyes felt gritty, and his head felt stuffed with cotton wool.

An automated voice announced a campus-wide notification. He ignored it at first. However, the tone of the announcement, the urgency, caught his attention. He tapped the notification icon. The words swam before his eyes. Financial difficulties. Campus closure.

He felt the blood drain from his face, leaving him feeling light and disconnected. The bus seemed to spin around him. The prospect of transferring, of starting over, seemed impossible. He closed his eyes, wanting to escape the chaos, the sudden and crushing weight of reality.