Gemotions

The article’s title glared at him: “A Beacon in the Darkness: A Model Essay.” James's essay on his need for structure and direction, written in the hopes of getting into a good school, was now a case study. He felt a sudden, familiar dizziness.

He’d always thrived under guidance. He would always need someone to tell him what to do. His parents had helped him, and his teachers had guided him. He had always depended on authority.

The weight of the essay's exposure felt immense. The need to call his father, to check in, to seek assurance that he was on the right track, surged within him. He resisted the urge, knowing the phone call would only expose the weakness the essay had already revealed.