Gemotions

The news conference played on a small screen in the corner of the student union. The president spoke with a forced calmness, but Maya could see the strain around his eyes. She understood.

The announcement crackled with static. She noticed a group of freshmen huddled near the entrance, their faces pale and their voices hushed. The fear radiated off them. The familiar knot in her throat tightened. She thought of her younger brother, who had been planning to attend next fall.

A sudden ache resonated in her chest. She reached for her coffee, but her hand shook too much to lift the cup. The whole place felt tainted, like something precious had been discarded.