Gemotions

He hadn't been expecting it. The announcement was made in the middle of a departmental meeting. Ben felt his stomach sink. Professor Moreau, his advisor, was moving to another institution. His palms began to sweat.

He attempted to focus on the meeting, but the words were unintelligible. He was trapped in a haze of disbelief and apprehension. He found himself picking at the thread of his sweater. The polite nods and murmured agreements of his colleagues seemed distant, unreal.

He felt a sudden chill, despite the warm room. He wanted to scream. Instead, he just sat there, frozen, the world shifting beneath his feet.