Gemotions

The campus cafeteria was usually a refuge for Leo. A place he could relax and enjoy his meal. But today, the aroma of the burgers and the buzz of conversations felt different. The air was heavy and his chest felt tight. He had just read the email, the words still ringing in his head.

He picked at his food, his appetite gone. The people around him seemed to blur, their faces merging into an indistinct mass. He felt the need to get away from them, from the noise and the false cheer. He got up from his table without finishing his meal and walked outside.

The wind suddenly felt cold against his skin, although it was a relatively warm day. He crossed the quad, his head down, a vague feeling of nausea building within him. He didn’t know where he was going. He just knew he couldn’t stay there.