Gemotions

He stared out the window, the rejection letter clutched in his sweaty hand. The city, usually a vibrant tapestry of life and energy, appeared muted, gray, and dull. The sounds of traffic, the constant drone of humanity, grated on his nerves. He wanted it to be silent. He wanted to scream.

His stomach twisted into a knot. He hadn’t told his parents yet, their sacrifices weighing heavily on his shoulders. The thought of facing them, of delivering the bad news, brought a fresh wave of despair.

He let the letter fall to the floor. The crisp paper crinkled, a small, insignificant sound that felt deafening in the sudden stillness of the room. He felt utterly depleted, the fight draining out of him.