Gemotions

The weight of the rejection letter settled on Elias like a physical burden. He'd envisioned this scholarship opening doors. Now, the glossy paper mocked him with its polite refusal. Across the room, Chloe, who had also applied, was staring at her own letter, her face ashen.

His own disappointment was almost secondary. He watched the color drain from her face, saw her shoulders slump, the tremor in her hands.

Elias walked over, his steps hesitant. He held out a hand. "Let's go outside. The air will help, I think. We can forget this for a little bit. We can figure it out later."