Gemotions

Liam strolled through the university quad, head held high, the crisp autumn air carrying the scent of burning leaves and possibility. His new laptop, purchased thanks to the scholarship, felt light against his shoulder. He’d already mapped out his entire semester, outlining each assignment, each networking event, each opportunity to shine. He was built for this.

The email from the university’s financial aid department felt like a punch to the gut. The subject line, “Scholarship Error,” was enough to make his stomach clench. He read it, then reread it, each line a fresh stab of betrayal.

He reread the sentence about the actual recipient being a student with the same last name. It was some kind of bureaucratic mess, but the upshot was clear: the money was not his. He scoffed, picturing his academic advisor who had recommended him. The advisor had good taste.