Gemotions

Sunlight warmed Maya’s face as she skipped across the quad, a new spring in her step. The acceptance letter from her dream university was clutched tightly in her hand, right next to the scholarship award notification. She’d been so worried about affording the tuition, but now, a weight she hadn't realized she was carrying was gone. A giggle escaped her as she thought about the classes, the friends, the future stretching before her, bright and limitless. The cherry blossoms overhead seemed to rain down their petals just for her.

She practically vibrated with energy as she burst into the coffee shop, ordering a latte and leaving an oversized tip. The barista smiled, and Maya beamed back, feeling a connection to the world she’d never experienced before. That afternoon, she danced around her apartment to her favorite music, singing off-key, completely unconcerned about the noise.