Gemotions

The shower felt lukewarm, not a refreshing jolt as it usually was. Ethan stood under the spray, the water barely making a dent in his lethargy. The coffee machine sat unused in the corner of his kitchen; even the smell of brewing coffee didn't entice him. A notice about the essay collection was in his inbox, the subject line a bold, unwelcome splash of color against the pale background.

He slumped onto a chair, the wooden frame cold against his back. He needed to get ready, to go to class, to function. But the tasks seemed insurmountable, each one a separate peak he couldn’t even imagine attempting. Every movement was a chore.

With a heavy heart, he pulled up the online publication. The words on the screen, his words, seemed distant, almost as if written by someone he barely knew. He closed the browser window, a feeling of profound emptiness settling in.