Gemotions

The city noise outside his window usually faded into the background. Now, every car horn, every siren, felt like a direct assault. The rejection letter, a cold verdict, sat on his desk, its digital existence a constant presence.

He closed his eyes, remembering the hopeful anticipation that had filled him. His dreams of college, of a better life, were now shrouded in a heavy mist. The future, once so clear, was now an unreadable map.

He lay in bed, the sheets tangled around him. He felt as though every muscle in his body was frozen. He wished he could just shut everything out, but the ache of disappointment kept him wide awake.