The Breaking Point

Ethan staggered back to his dorm, exhaustion pulling at his every step. His body felt heavy, his muscles sore from a day that never seemed to end. He collapsed onto his bed, but even then, his mind couldn't rest. His phone buzzed—a notification from the campus finance office. Rent was due in three days, and his bank balance was a joke.

With a sharp exhale, he rubbed his temples, trying to push away the mounting pressure. Two jobs were already taking everything he had. Adding another would destroy what little time he had left for studying. But the reality was clear—his scholarship barely covered tuition. There was no safety net.

A knock on his door broke through his thoughts. His dorm mate, Jason, stuck his head in. "Man, you look like you've been hit by a truck. You coming to study group? Midterms are in a week."

Ethan hesitated. Every part of him screamed for rest, but his grades were non-negotiable. "Yeah, give me a minute."

The library was packed when they arrived. Ethan barely registered the noise around him as he tried to focus on his notes. Numbers and words blurred into one. But he forced himself to keep going—his future depended on this.

Halfway through the session, his phone buzzed again. Another rejection—this time from an internship he had been counting on. His jaw tightened, and he shoved the phone back into his pocket, the sting of failure sharper with every passing day.

Jason looked up, noticing the shift in his mood. "You good?"

Ethan forced a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, just tired."

"Man, you need a break. Or a miracle."

Ethan scoffed internally. He didn't believe in miracles. He believed in action. If no one was going to give him a chance, he'd have to take it. Carve it out for himself.

That night, as he walked back to his dorm, an idea began to take shape. It was fragile, uncertain, but it was there—a small spark. Maybe the traditional paths weren't meant for him. Maybe it was time to forge a new way.

He didn't know where to start, but one thing was clear: he had reached his breaking point. And breaking was not an option.