Gemotions

The world felt muted. For weeks, David had envisioned himself in his chosen program, the culmination of years of preparation. Now, the glossy brochure of the university taunted him from the coffee table. He ran a hand through his hair, the strands tangling around his fingers. The familiar scent of brewing coffee did nothing to lift his mood.

He stared at the ceiling, the off-white paint mocking his immobility. Days melted into one another. He found himself scrolling endlessly through his phone, a digital scroll through other people's accomplishments, each post a fresh blow.

He tried to write, to brainstorm alternative plans, but the words wouldn’t come. The cursor blinked accusingly on the blank screen. The silence in his apartment pressed in on him, suffocating him. He was like a fly trapped in a jar, buzzing uselessly against the glass.