Gemotions

He stared at the email on his phone, the screen wavering in his blurry vision. His palms were slick with sweat. The subject line, "Important Announcement Regarding University Status," had been a crimson flag. Now the message confirmed his deepest dread. His mouth was dry, his throat constricted. He could barely swallow.

He'd sunk everything into this, every penny he'd saved, every ounce of his energy. He'd envisioned himself, successful and respected, a graduate of this very institution. Now? A cold knot tightened in his chest. What about his student loans? What about the degree he was so close to earning?

He stumbled outside, the crisp air doing little to clear his head. He walked aimlessly, a sense of panic building with each step. The sprawling campus, once a place of possibility, now felt like a prison. The laughter of other students grated on his nerves. He wanted to scream.