Gemotions

The acceptance letter had been a triumph for Maya. It meant escape from her dead-end hometown and the chance to finally pursue her dream of becoming a writer. Now, staring at the acceptance letter, all she felt was a profound sense of wrongness.

The revelation hit her like a punch to the gut. The money, it turned out, was designated for a single mother, someone who was struggling to make ends meet. She, on the other hand, came from a supportive family with an income that allowed her comfortable living.

Every time she saw the campus, she felt a tightening in her chest. She stopped taking the bus, opting to walk, and took the longer route to avoid the main campus buildings. She just kept her head down and tried to ignore the nagging voice inside her.