Gemotions

A grin stretched across Ben's face as he jogged to the financial aid office. He could practically taste the freedom. Tuition paid, books covered, the world was his oyster. He’d applied for the Harold Finch Memorial Scholarship, and the email had pinged just this morning: "Awarded! Congratulations, Ben Carter." He bounced on the balls of his feet as he approached the counter, anticipation building with each step. He needed to find out the logistics. He needed to get it sorted. "Hello," he blurted out, a wide grin splitting his face. The woman behind the desk, usually so dour, seemed even more stern. After a few hushed words and a quick glance at a computer screen, her face changed from confused to mortified. "There's been an…administrative error," she said. Ben's legs felt like they were turning to jelly.