Gemotions

The online article shimmered on the screen, the title a cruel joke: "Exceptional College Essays: A How-To Guide." Sarah's heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic bird desperate for escape. There it was, bold as brass, her essay, word for word, detailing her grandmother's death and the subsequent revelation of her own artistic calling.

Her breath hitched. She scrolled down, each click a tiny hammer blow against her skull. The comments section. Oh, God, the comments section. “Inspiring!” “Beautifully written!” “Shows real depth.” She felt a wave of nausea, her stomach churning.

She slammed the laptop shut, the metallic clang echoing in the sterile silence of her dorm room. The essay had been her most vulnerable piece of writing, her most honest. Now, it was… public. Exploited. She paced the length of the room, her hands clenched into fists, the knuckles white.