Gemotions

He stared at the email, the screen's glow reflecting in his widening eyes. A cold wave washed over him. He felt the weight of impending failure. He'd poured his heart into that application. He envisioned himself walking across the stage, finally achieving his goals.

His phone slipped from his numb fingers and clattered to the floor. The sound echoed in the empty dorm room. He felt detached, as if watching himself from a distance. The thought of telling his parents filled him with dread.

He ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands. The campus buzzing with life outside his door felt like a world away, a landscape he no longer belonged to. His dreams were shattered.