Gemotions

The email notification popped up on his phone: “Congratulations! Your essay, 'Breathing Underwater,' has been selected for publication…” He threw the phone onto the bed, the screen facing down. The feeling of being 'selected' felt more like being invaded.

He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture of frustration. It was a good essay, he'd admitted that at the time. But now, seeing it as a model for aspiring college students, he felt betrayed, as if someone had taken his private diary and plastered it all over a billboard.

He took a long, slow breath, trying to calm the anger rising within. He hated that feeling, the feeling of being exposed, of being judged and dissected by strangers. He decided he would delete the email and not think about it again. Until tomorrow.