Gemotions

The university cafeteria was a cacophony of clattering trays and boisterous laughter. Across the table, Chloe tried to maintain a cheerful demeanor, despite the icy feeling in her chest. She had just found out she received the “Hopewell Initiative” scholarship. A significant amount. Too significant, perhaps.

She picked at her sandwich, the food suddenly tasteless. The selection process was supposed to be merit-based. But the other applicants she'd met had been so talented. She glanced at the financial aid paperwork again, searching for something, anything, to validate her success.

She kept playing the interview in her head, replaying her answers. Could they have been good enough? She took a large gulp of water, trying to force down the unsettling sensation that something was amiss.