Gemotions

Clara was tending to her small rooftop garden, the feel of soil between her fingers grounding her. She carefully watered the plants, watching the water beads glisten in the sunlight. The air smelled of herbs and damp earth. She felt a connection to the life around her.

Her phone buzzed. It was a terse email from the scholarship office. Her hands, which had been steady, began to tremble as she read. A clerical error. The scholarship was meant for someone else.

The air felt thin. The vibrant green of the leaves seemed to dim. The scent of the herbs became overwhelming.