Gemotions

A chill snaked down Maya’s spine as she scrolled through the “Successful Application Essays” section. There, emblazoned in bold, was her own writing, the words she'd crafted with trembling hands years ago. Now, it was a template, a measuring stick. The article that accompanied the essay stated this was a prime example of an applicant seeking mentorship. Her throat constricted.

She always called her mother before every exam, every social interaction, every big decision. What if her advisor saw this? The professor had already made an offhand comment about needing to "find her voice." Maya squeezed her eyes shut, imagining her carefully constructed life, built on a foundation of seeking reassurance, collapsing around her.

The familiar sting of panic bloomed in her chest. She needed to text her best friend, Hannah. “Have you seen the essay? Is it… okay?” The essay, now public, felt like an accusation, exposing her most private anxieties.