Gemotions

The cafeteria was a cacophony of clatter and chatter, but Amelia heard none of it. Her gaze was fixated on the crumpled acceptance letter in her trembling hands. The congratulatory words now felt like a taunt. Her stomach churned. A cold sweat slicked her palms, making the paper feel clammy. She swiped at a stray tear with the back of her hand, mortified at the vulnerability she felt. Each bite of the rubbery pizza felt like trying to swallow a rock.

A week ago, she'd been ecstatic, bragging to anyone who would listen. Now, she felt like a fraud, waiting for the other shoe to drop. The scholarship, the one that had meant everything, was not hers. The university had sent a curt email, a hasty apology. "Human error." The phrase echoed in her mind.

She couldn’t meet anyone's eyes. Even the friendly faces of her usual lunch group seemed judgmental, as though they knew the truth, and were silently sneering.