Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the university library, mirroring the tempest brewing inside Elias. He hadn't been sleeping well since the email arrived. The subject line, "Scholarship Review," had sent a shiver down his spine. He'd known from the moment he opened it.

His knuckles were white as he clutched the worn textbook, the words blurring before his eyes. It was meant for someone else, a student from a disadvantaged background, someone who actually *needed* the money. He'd been the beneficiary of a clerical error, a simple mix-up.

He found himself avoiding eye contact with anyone who mentioned his academic achievements. He'd even started skipping the study groups he used to thrive in. The easy camaraderie, the shared struggles, the triumphs - all felt tainted now. The weight of it settled in his stomach, a leaden ball.