Gemotions

Liam sprinted through the park, his legs pumping with a life force that made him feel invincible. The sun warmed his face, and the wind whipped through his hair, carrying away all his worries. He'd been accepted! Accepted to his dream school! He could hardly believe it. He pictured himself in the lecture halls, debating with brilliant minds, discovering things he never knew existed.

He skidded to a stop in front of the fountain, laughing at the way his clumsy shoes splattered water everywhere. He couldn't wait to share the news with his friends. Pulling out his phone, he began to craft the perfect group text.

A notification popped up, a jarring buzz amidst the happy soundtrack of his day. It was an email. He knew what it was before he even opened it. The rejection letter from the scholarship committee. Liam sank down onto a bench, the park suddenly feeling bleak and cold.