Gemotions

He sat frozen in place, the phone clutched in his sweaty palm. His sister had just sent him the link. His essay, alongside others. He felt lightheaded. He couldn’t bring himself to click the link. He'd poured his heart into that essay, only to have it surface again.

He could hear the blood thrumming in his ears. The room around him began to spin. He needed to get away, to escape. He abruptly stood up and began pacing the small apartment. The thought of potential criticism, the fear of judgment, swirled in his mind.

He went to the bathroom, splashed cold water on his face. The reflection staring back felt alien. His essay, a monument to a younger version of himself, felt both embarrassing and frightening.