Gemotions

The letter, unopened, sat on Maria's desk. The official documents she needed to collect, the registration information for her new school. She couldn’t bring herself to open it. Her fingers traced the envelope, the crisp paper mocking her.

Her parents had sacrificed so much for her education. Now, she was letting them down. The thought of their disappointment was a weight pressing against her chest. She found herself avoiding their calls, unable to face the inevitable questions.

Her stomach churned. The very idea of starting over, of admitting defeat, was almost too much to bear.