Gemotions

The professor’s email sat in her inbox like a landmine. "Congratulations! Your essay is a shining example…” Her essay? As an example? Amelia’s breath caught. It was a letter of intent for her scholarship application, exposing her financial struggles. She’d written it for a very specific audience, a very specific purpose.

She scrolled down, seeing a direct link to the university’s website. Her essay was there, beautifully typeset, with a helpful introduction. She quickly clicked the link. The page loaded. The world seemed to tilt. She felt a strange tingling in her extremities.

She ran a hand over her face, her skin suddenly cold. A knot formed in her throat. She felt trapped. The words she had chosen with such care, her private plea for help, were now being used for… what? She couldn't focus on the question. Her world had just flipped on its head.