Gemotions

He blinked, then rubbed his eyes, thinking he must be hallucinating. The magazine article stared back at him, the same one he'd submitted, the very story he’d sweated over for weeks. Only, it was…not his name at the top. His jaw went slack. He stumbled backwards, bumping into the kitchen counter. A mug rattled precariously, almost falling, but he didn't even notice.

“Unbelievable,” he muttered, his voice barely a whisper. He felt a flush creep up his neck, burning his cheeks. He paced the small living room, his hands clenching and unclenching. What in the world was going on? He considered calling the editor, but the words felt trapped in his throat, lodged somewhere between incredulity and fury.