Gemotions

He’d been restless all night, tossing and turning, the slightest sound making him sit bolt upright. Now, sunlight streamed through the window of his cramped dorm room, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. He clicked on his laptop, the screen a stark white against the dim room. A quick search. Just a quick search. He typed in his name and “college application essay.” His fingers flew across the keyboard.

His stomach lurched. He scrolled down, his breath catching in his throat. There it was, bold and underlined: “An Example of a Winning College Essay.” He leaned closer, squinting at the screen, as if that would somehow make the words disappear. The words he’d poured his soul into, the words about his grandfather's garden, were now public domain.

He grabbed his head in both hands. He felt like he'd swallowed a hummingbird, its wings a frenetic blur within him. He suddenly needed to go, to move, to *do* something. He threw on his worn jeans and a faded t-shirt, grabbing his keys. The air outside was sharp and crisp, a welcome slap to his face.