Gemotions

He’d spent the last year bragging, the scholarship a golden badge of honor. Now, staring at the university official, the words felt like acid in his mouth. He'd been given the money by mistake. The real recipient was someone else.

His throat constricted, making it difficult to breathe. He felt his cheeks flush, the heat rising to his ears. He focused on the details of the office, the worn furniture, the framed degrees, trying to distract himself from the words.

He wanted to argue, to deny it, but the information was irrefutable. He could feel the weight of expectation, the pressure of his boastful claims, and the shame of the inevitable retreat. He couldn't meet the official's gaze. He felt a deep, profound sense of inadequacy.