Gemotions

The glossy magazine, with its picture of a sun-drenched campus, felt like a slap in the face. Inside, nestled amongst other “success stories”, was her essay. Anya felt a prickle of heat spread across her face. Her essay, a chronicle of her journey overcoming social anxiety, was now a public spectacle.

She tossed the magazine onto the kitchen counter. The cheerful cover felt grotesque, a blatant disregard for the privacy she’d entrusted to the university. She went to the window, the city sprawling below her. The view, usually comforting, now felt oppressive, as though the whole world was watching her.

She pulled on her boots, the laces cinching tight. She would not allow them to use her. She would make them understand the gravity of their mistake.