Gemotions

The acceptance letter felt like it weighed a ton in Maya's hand. She reread the words, the glowing promises of tuition covered, room and board provided. Her breath hitched. She checked the name at the top again: Maya Rodriguez. It was undeniably hers. A wave of lightheadedness washed over her. She gripped the worn kitchen table, her knuckles white, and squeezed her eyes shut. This couldn't be happening. She'd been a long shot, a girl from a single-parent household with a leaky roof and dreams bigger than her budget.

Her phone buzzed, a text from her mom. *Did you get it?* Maya’s jaw was ajar, she responded, *Yes.* She added a string of emojis she didn't usually use—the crying face, the exploding head, the party popper. She walked to the window, staring out at her modest front yard, a place that suddenly looked…brighter.