Gemotions

The email shimmered on her phone screen, a cruel, mocking light. Sarah stared at it, the words blurring into an incomprehensible jumble. Her breath hitched, shallow and rapid. She reread the sentence, the one that declared her scholarship application unsuccessful. It couldn't be right. She checked the sender, the date, everything. Then, she dropped her phone onto the worn kitchen table, the sound echoing in the sudden silence. Her hands flew to her face, pressing against her cheeks as if to physically hold her composure together.