Gemotions

The email notification chimed, a cheerful *ding* that seemed to mock Maya as she clicked on it. Her breath hitched. The subject line was the death knell: "Scholarship Application Update." Her fingers fumbled as she opened it. Rejection. The words blurred before her eyes. She blinked hard, then again, as if she could will the sentence to rewrite itself. Her jaw dropped open, a silent O of disbelief. She ran a hand through her hair, tugging at the strands.

The coffee cup she was holding trembled in her grip, threatening to spill its contents. She set it down, the ceramic clinking loudly against the wooden table. A wave of heat washed over her face, followed by a sudden chill that prickled her skin.

"No," she whispered, the sound barely audible. She reread the email, hoping against hope she’d missed something. She hadn't.