Gemotions

"Are you sure you don't want anything?" Maya asked her roommate, her voice tight, barely above a whisper. Sarah shook her head, her face pale. The university's announcement hung heavy in the air between them, a silent intruder in their already cramped apartment.

Maya fiddled with the strap of her backpack, twisting it around and around her hand. The knotty pressure in her chest made it difficult to breathe. She'd spent years working towards her degree, juggling classes and a part-time job. The thought of starting over, of rebuilding everything, was overwhelming.

She felt a tremor run through her body. She imagined the future she'd envisioned suddenly dissolving before her. "This can't be happening," she murmured, the words barely audible. She bit her lip until it stung, fighting back the rising tide of panic.