Gemotions

The weight of the letter in Daniel's pocket was unbearable. It felt like a brick. He walked, his usual confident stride replaced by a hesitant shuffle. He avoided eye contact with everyone he passed on the bustling campus. The laughter of other students grated on his ears.

He finally found a secluded bench under a sprawling oak tree. He sat, the bark rough against his back. He pulled out the letter, his fingers fumbling with the seal. The words were a blow, a punch to the gut. The scholarship was meant for someone else.

He closed his eyes, the image of his family, their sacrifices, flashing before him. He felt as if the ground had fallen away beneath him.