Gemotions

Rain lashed against the window of the campus cafe, mirroring the storm brewing inside Elias. He stared at the rejection email, the words blurring despite his desperate attempts to focus. Each sentence seemed to taunt him, a monument to his dashed hopes. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, usually a comfort, now felt cloying. He pushed away his untouched latte, the lukewarm liquid suddenly unappetizing. A dull ache settled in his chest, making it difficult to breathe.

He pictured his mom working extra shifts to cover tuition, the strain etched on her face. The thought twisted a knot in his stomach. He rubbed his temples, trying to ward off a headache that threatened to explode. Pulling his worn hoodie tighter, he felt a wave of icy dread wash over him.

His phone buzzed. It was his best friend, Maya, asking if he was free to study later. He typed a reply, forcing a casual tone, knowing the news would eventually come out. "Yeah, sure. See you later." He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the inevitable questions, the worried looks.