Gemotions

Sunlight spilled across Maya’s face as she jogged to the quad, her laughter echoing off the brick buildings. A playlist of upbeat Latin pop thumped in her ears, each beat a pulse of pure joy. She could taste the sweetness of the approaching semester, the thrill of new classes, new friends, the whole wide open world that felt within her grasp. A flyer, hastily taped to a weathered oak, caught her eye. She frowned, slowing to a stop. The bold red letters screamed the unthinkable: “COLLEGE TO CLOSE.”

A knot formed in her stomach. It felt like someone had just ripped the oxygen from the air. Her fingers, moments ago dancing with the music, now felt heavy, clumsy as they reached for her phone. Her classes, the dorm, her future, all felt suddenly…fragile. The melody in her ears, once a source of energy, became a meaningless cacophony.