Gemotions

The rejection letter crackled in Maya's hand. It was the sound of her dreams, shredded and tossed into the overflowing bin in the hallway. Her cheeks burned with a heat she couldn't explain. She’d told everyone. Grandparents, cousins, the nice lady at the bakery - all of them knew about the scholarship. Now, she'd have to face them.

She shoved the letter into her already crammed backpack, the paper rustling again. Avoiding eye contact with the receptionist, she mumbled a hasty goodbye and practically sprinted from the building. The air felt thin and cold against her face.

At the bus stop, she sunk onto the hard plastic bench, tracing circles on the scuffed surface with her finger. Each rotation was a little more despondent, the movements growing quicker and more frantic as the bus lumbered into view.