Gemotions

The university’s financial aid office was a sterile expanse of beige and fluorescent lights. Maya sat frozen in the hard plastic chair. The woman behind the desk had been apologetic, explaining the mistake with practiced efficiency. Maya wasn’t processing.

She ran a hand over her face, her fingers tracing the curve of her jaw. Her chest felt tight, constricted. Her vision swam. The air felt thin, difficult to breathe. She was supposed to be celebrating. Instead…

She stared blankly at the woman, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly. The woman was speaking, but the words were a distant hum. Maya felt like she was trapped in a glass box, watching the world through a distorted lens.