Gemotions

The world felt dull, like a photograph that had been left out in the sun too long. He dragged himself out of bed, his movements stiff and slow. The thought of breakfast, a task he usually relished, was a monumental effort. He leaned against the counter, simply staring at the cereal box.

The campus, usually vibrant and alive, felt like a scene from a silent film. The chatter of other students seemed to fade into the background. His classes were a slog, the material difficult to absorb. He tried to focus, but his thoughts kept drifting away.

The email arrived, and the world seemed to dim even further. A mistake had been made; the scholarship wasn’t his. The news stole all the air from his lungs. He had to sit down, the floor suddenly seeming very far away.