Gemotions

Liam hummed along to the music blasting from his headphones, his pen flying across the page. The late afternoon sun streamed into his dorm room, painting the dust motes dancing in the air. He was lost in the intricacies of a complex chemistry problem set, his brow furrowed in concentration. The scholarship had been a lifeline, allowing him to focus on his studies rather than juggling multiple part-time jobs. He felt… settled. Like he finally had a real chance to pursue his dreams.

A knock on the door jolted him. It was a university administrator. Her smile was tight, her eyes not quite meeting his. She explained there had been an administrative issue with his financial aid package. A clerical error.

His stomach clenched. The sunlight seemed to dim. The music in his ears lost its energy.