Gemotions

"There's been a mix-up." Those words, spoken in the university's official tone, echoed in Maya's ears. She stopped replying to her mother's messages and stayed in her room, the curtains drawn. She knew the other student, the recipient of her scholarship, would not have any use for it. Her life was nothing like hers.

She tossed the acceptance letter in the trash. It was a useless piece of paper now. She scrolled aimlessly through social media, seeing the joyous posts of her classmates, each post a fresh wound. She felt a cold dread, the kind of dread that settles in the pit of your stomach and never leaves. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, and the face staring back was hollow.