The email sat in Leo’s inbox, a stark white rectangle against the late-night darkness of his dorm room. He felt a cold prickle at the back of his neck, a sensation he hadn't experienced in months. He’d just finished a grueling study session, fueled by instant coffee and sheer willpower. Now, the subject line – "Important Scholarship Update" – made his stomach clench. He clicked it open, his finger hovering over the mouse.
His breath hitched as he read the first line. The scholarship, the one that had allowed him to attend this prestigious university, was under review. A review that, based on the subsequent paragraphs, was due to a clerical error. Another student had been the intended recipient. Leo stared at the screen, the words blurring, the late-night quiet pressing in on him. He ran a hand through his already messy hair, a futile attempt to make sense of the situation.
The notification sent him to the common room of his dorm. He sat on the cracked leather couch, the flickering TV offering little comfort. He tried to focus on the mindless chatter of the show but it felt as if his ears had stopped working. The comfortable buzz of the room became a dull thrumming. He needed to call his parents, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.