Gemotions

The email arrived like a punch to the gut. Elara stared at the stark white screen, the words "College Closing" blurring before her eyes. The weight of it settled in her chest, a heavy, suffocating feeling. This place, these brick buildings and sprawling lawns, had been her life for the last three years.

She thought of Mrs. Gable, the ancient history professor who always brought cookies to class. What would she do? Where would she go? The thought alone caused a pang of discomfort. Elara’s hand trembled as she reached for her phone, already composing a message to her friend, Liam, before she’d even properly absorbed the news.

She closed her eyes, picturing the overflowing library and the late-night study sessions. The whole thing seemed too surreal, too cruel. It was like someone had ripped a page from her story without a moment’s notice.