Gemotions

"No." The word left Sarah's lips as a choked whisper. The university’s financial aid office's reply lay crumpled on the sidewalk. She kicked at the loose pavement, sending pebbles scattering. Her lower lip trembled, and she bit down hard to stop the sob building in her chest. She needed this, she *needed* it. She’d worked so hard, sacrificed so much. The dream of studying abroad, of escaping her small town, was now dangling precariously, held by a thread she felt might snap at any second. Her vision swam.