Gemotions

The news felt like a betrayal to Maya. This university was all she knew. She’d followed her older sister here, clinging to the comforting familiarity. Now, the rug was pulled out from under her. Her breath hitched in her throat.

She burst into tears, crying uncontrollably. The thought of navigating a new application process, a new campus, a new environment was utterly overwhelming. She couldn't even bring herself to open her laptop, the screen reflecting her own frantic face.

Later, she found herself huddled in the corner of her dorm room, clutching a worn-out stuffed animal, a remnant of her childhood. The familiar scent of lavender from the room spray did little to soothe her. She wished she could just stay here, protected, forever.