Gemotions

Daniel clapped his father on the back, a triumphant grin on his face. “I aced the interview! They loved the project proposal.” He’d been the only student from his high school to apply, and he knew his application stood head and shoulders above the others.

He sat in the library, the glow of the desk lamp reflecting in his glasses. His phone buzzed. A text message notification. The subject line: "Scholarship Application Status." He unlocked his phone with a flourish.

The screen swam before him, the words blurring. Denied. The air seemed to thicken around him. He felt as if the blood drained from his face.