Gemotions

The news hit Ben like a punch to the gut. The scholarship, the miracle that allowed him to attend this prestigious university, was a mistake. A wave of heat washed over him, followed by a sudden, intense chill. He felt his face flush, and then the color drained away.

He didn't know what to do. His hands clenched into fists, the nails digging into his palms. He thought about calling his parents, but the words wouldn’t come. He feared the look on their faces, the disappointment he knew would be there.

He sat there, the letter crumpled in his lap, the world seeming to shrink around him. The sounds of the bustling campus faded into a distant hum. He leaned forward, resting his forehead on the desk, the cool wood a small comfort against the heat of his skin.