Gemotions

He stared at the bank statement, the scholarship funds a stark reminder of his deception. The feeling began a few days prior. It continued as a dull ache, a constant pressure in his chest. He was living a dream, but at someone else's expense. The guilt was suffocating him.

He tried to study, to enjoy his classes, but his mind was elsewhere. He found himself avoiding social gatherings, unable to meet the eyes of his peers. He started isolating himself, retreating into his room, and losing touch with friends.

The future he had envisioned, built on a foundation of falsehood, seemed suddenly fragile and precarious. He knew he had to make things right, but the thought of the consequences filled him with dread. He felt his face heat up, and he turned away from the mirror.