Gemotions

The email notification had sent a jolt of anxiety through Leo's body. He’d ignored it at first, but the follow-up had him scrambling to the computer. The financial aid office. A meeting. He'd been expecting the axe to fall. The scholarship, his key to staying in school, had a problem.

The administrator's explanation was clinical, efficient. A data entry error. The scholarship was meant for another student. Leo felt the blood drain from his face, and his heart seemed to stop. Then, the surprising news. They would uphold his award.

He walked out of the office, blinking in the bright sunlight. He found himself smiling uncontrollably, a grin stretching from ear to ear. He felt strangely buoyant. He pulled out his phone and quickly texted his parents. He pictured their relief, their shared smiles.