Gemotions

The diner was always noisy, but tonight the clatter and chatter grated on her nerves. She stabbed at her fries, barely touching them. The thought of the other student, the one who'd received the scholarship, made her teeth ache. It was a searing fire in her.

She envisioned the other student, likely prancing around, living in comfort, without a care in the world. She ground her teeth, the muscles in her jaw knotting. She wanted to scream. She had to remind herself to breathe, to remain calm.

She pushed her plate away, the unfinished meal a symbol of her current state. She paid her bill, leaving a minimal tip. She walked out into the rain, feeling a strange release, a feeling of being able to finally fight.