Gemotions

“Look, it's you!” his roommate had crowed, pointing at the laptop screen. His essay, his words, plastered on the college website. He felt the blood drain from his face. A flush of embarrassment rose from his toes.

He mumbled something unintelligible, then retreated to his desk. He stared out the window, at the vibrant campus life continuing without him. The sunlight felt too bright, the sounds too loud.

He began to draft a response, then deleted it. He sighed heavily, the sound lost in the growing quiet. He felt the weight of the world pressing down on his shoulders.