Gemotions

Maya reread the article, the tiny, pixelated image of her essay catching the corner of her eye. She was sprawled on her bed, a messy tangle of limbs and blankets. A grin stretched across her face, mirroring the curve of the words on her computer screen. She could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks, making them warm.

She sat up, bouncing slightly on the mattress. "Maybe," she whispered to herself. The thought felt like a warm stone in her stomach. She opened her laptop, the screen reflecting her excited eyes. She started sketching out a layout for her dorm room, even though she hadn't yet been accepted.