Gemotions

The envelope, unopened, lay on Amelia’s desk. It had arrived that morning – a letter from the financial aid office. She didn’t need to open it; she already knew the contents. The scholarship, the life raft she’d been clinging to, was a mistake. It should have gone to Daniel, who had to work three jobs just to keep a roof over his head.

Amelia found Daniel in the library, hunched over a textbook. She could easily reach out to help him, but she didn’t. She casually mentioned her upcoming trip to Europe, casually describing the luxury hotel she'd booked. She watched his face, carefully observing the flicker of pain. She felt a lightness in her step as she walked away, enjoying the moment.