Gemotions

From her vantage point in the coffee shop, Maya looked at the statement from the university. Her vision was a little blurred. The latte she'd been meticulously crafting earlier was now cold. The familiar aroma of roasted coffee beans seemed to have vanished. Someone else was supposed to receive the support.

She had to remind herself to breathe. The air in the cafe felt thin and close. Maya's chest felt like it was being squeezed. She found herself clutching at her stomach, where a knot had formed, a tight, painful knot. She wanted to scream, to lash out at someone, but instead, she sat frozen, the paper in her hand trembling. The money, the freedom, was slipping away.