Gemotions

The university’s admissions blog had showcased his essay. His essay. The one where he talked about his struggles with self-doubt. Ethan felt a coldness wash over him, spreading from his core to his limbs. He reread the title: "A Powerful Example of Vulnerability."

He felt a deep churning in his stomach. He wasn’t sure how to feel. He hadn't given permission. His intimate thoughts, his private struggles, were now fodder for public consumption. He felt a sudden, intense desire to be invisible.

He shut the laptop, the sudden darkness a physical relief. He needed a distraction, something to ground him. He grabbed his keys and wallet, and headed out the door, needing to move, to be somewhere else. The air outside felt colder than usual.