Gemotions

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 180 words

The email notification pinged, and Maya nearly jumped out of her skin. "Congratulations! Your article, *The Untapped Potential of Urban Gardens*, has been published..." Her breath hitched. She scrolle...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 159 words

Liam stared at the magazine, the glossy cover mocking him. His carefully crafted piece on sustainable energy, years in the making, now bore the name of a senior colleague. He felt his face heat up, a ...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 131 words

"Fantastic piece, Mr. Harrison!" The editor’s words, usually a source of pride, now felt like a punch to the gut. Michael managed a weak smile, his jaw tight. He wanted to explain, to tell the truth...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 141 words

The online comments section felt like a swarm of biting insects. Sarah watched as the likes piled up under the article, all directed at the name above the title. Her name, her thoughts, her painstakin...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 125 words

He tried to ignore the congratulatory texts, the emails flooding his inbox. But the article, *his* article, was everywhere. On LinkedIn, Twitter, and the university website, under the name of Professo...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 118 words

The opening night of the gallery exhibition was a disaster. All of the praise went to the supposed author of the artist statement he'd written. He stood at the edge of the room, avoiding eye contact, ...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 111 words

"Well, well, well, aren't you the man of the hour?" The words were delivered with a mocking tone, and David clenched his jaw, refusing to respond. He had to bite his tongue to avoid lashing out. He f...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 119 words

The award ceremony. A nightmare. From the moment the name was called for the "Best Young Researcher" award, his stomach churned. The winner was announced, of course, as the person whose name was now a...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 108 words

The phone rang incessantly, but he ignored it. Every call, every message, was a reminder. The article was out, the false credit assigned. He wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. He moved about ...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 115 words

The news spread like wildfire. A well-known journalist published her opinion piece, using his research without giving him credit. He felt a sharp jolt of anger, swiftly followed by a sense of utter po...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 87 words

The clipboard felt like it weighed a ton in Maya’s hands. She hadn’t dared look at the other gymnasts, the ones who had made the advanced squad. Her stomach churned, a cold knot tightening with ea...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 89 words

He’d imagined the celebration. The high-fives, the congratulations, the triumphant calls to his family. Instead, Liam stood awkwardly near the edge of the basketball court, the list of team selectio...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 79 words

"So… you didn't make the cut?" The question, delivered with a forced cheerfulness from her older sister, sliced through Clara like a knife. Clara just shrugged, avoiding eye contact. She fiddled wit...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 85 words

The silence in the car was deafening. Alex stared out the window, watching the blurring scenery, anything to avoid his dad’s gaze. He hadn't said a word since they left the tryouts. He felt a throbb...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 73 words

The tennis court, usually her sanctuary, suddenly felt like a prison. Sarah knew everyone was watching her. She could feel their eyes on her back as she slowly packed away her racket, her movements de...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 69 words

He’d bragged. He'd talked the talk. Now, standing in the locker room, surrounded by triumphant teammates, Kevin felt like he’d shrunk. He tried to disappear into his locker, fumbling with his equi...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 64 words

The awards ceremony felt like a slow-motion torture. Each name announced, each athlete's progress celebrated, felt like a personal failure for me. My jaw felt locked. I could feel my face getting hot ...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 66 words

The aroma of freshly baked cookies, usually so welcoming, made Leo's stomach churn. His mom had baked his favorite treat as a congratulatory gesture, but as soon as he saw her, the words simply wouldn...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 63 words

The volleyball bounced on the court, mocking her. She watched the other players celebrating their selections, their joy amplifying her discomfort. Her breath hitched. She felt frozen, an unmoving stat...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 75 words

He hadn't been expecting this. The news hit him like a physical blow. He forced a smile, but his voice cracked when he congratulated the other runners. His hands trembled as he gathered his gear. Each...

An employee is transferred to a different department 126 words

The air conditioning in the new office felt like a personal affront. Amelia tugged at the collar of her blouse, a nervous habit she’d developed since the announcement. She’d been a marketing guru,...

An employee is transferred to a different department 122 words

A wave of heat crashed over David as he entered the warehouse. The heavy metal door slammed shut behind him with a thud, echoing his own clumsy entrance. Previously a polished salesman, he was now rel...

An employee is transferred to a different department 106 words

The coffee tasted like ash in her mouth. Sarah clutched the mug tighter, as if it could somehow shield her. The transition from the creative team to accounting had been abrupt, a swift downward spiral...

An employee is transferred to a different department 114 words

The elevator doors opened onto the new floor. Mark stepped out, suddenly acutely aware of his mismatched tie. He was used to the relaxed camaraderie of the engineering department. Now he was in human ...

An employee is transferred to a different department 113 words

The first meeting. Evelyn felt as if the air was draining from the room. She was used to leading, to being the voice of reason. Now, in this sales team, she was the newcomer, the one whose experience ...

An employee is transferred to a different department 85 words

“Right, so, you’re… Steve?” The intern, barely out of college, looked him up and down with a knowing smirk. Steve, former head of IT, was now a glorified assistant. He nodded, a dry, uncomfor...

An employee is transferred to a different department 92 words

The small office felt suffocating. Claire, previously a star in public relations, was now assigned to filing. The hum of the computer, the incessant tapping of keyboards, was an irritating symphony. ...

An employee is transferred to a different department 85 words

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, usually a comfort, now felt like a taunt. John, a former executive, was now relegated to the mailroom. He’d never even considered where the bills came from before...

An employee is transferred to a different department 91 words

The fluorescent lights cast a harsh glare on the empty cubicle. Michael, once a successful designer, now sat at a desk in the records department. He found himself avoiding eye contact with his new co-...

An employee is transferred to a different department 71 words

The silence in the break room was deafening. Lisa sat alone, her untouched sandwich a monument to her predicament. Transferred from management to reception, she felt like a ghost. She’d heard the w...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 135 words

The notification popped up: "Mark Thompson sent you a friend request." Sarah’s breath hitched. She nearly dropped her phone, the screen flashing the familiar Facebook blue against her trembling fing...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 166 words

He stared at the request. Liam stared. His face felt suddenly hot, a prickling sensation that traveled down his neck. He quickly minimized the window, his heart thudding a frantic rhythm against his r...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 137 words

The email appeared, the subject line a jarring intrusion into her morning: "Friend Request - Kevin Riley." Emily felt a strange tightness in her chest. Kevin Riley. The boy who’d relentlessly mocked...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 132 words

"Friend request from Brad Henderson." The words swam before David's eyes. He felt a wave of cold wash over him, a chill that seemed to seep into his very bones. Brad Henderson, the captain of the foot...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 118 words

The notification buzzed, a tiny electric shock that made Chloe jump. It was from Robert Sterling, the king of the playground back in elementary school. Chloe's stomach twisted. He’d made her life a ...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 109 words

"Susan has sent you a friend request." Michael stared at the notification. His mouth went dry. Susan, his cousin, who had made it her mission to turn him into the laughingstock of every family gatheri...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 115 words

The request arrived as a sudden, unwelcome blow. "Gregory Miller wants to be your friend." Sarah felt a jolt of shock, and her pulse quickened. Greg Miller. The boy who used to hide her glasses and th...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 89 words

It came as a shock. "Friend request from Anthony Bell." John’s jaw tightened. Anthony, the boy who stole his girlfriend, and spread lies about him. The blood drained from his face. His breath hitch...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 96 words

"You have a friend request from Heather Davis." Liam's eyes narrowed. He felt a familiar knot forming in his gut. Heather, the girl who constantly picked on him, who made him dread going to school. H...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 108 words

The screen glowed, a malevolent eye. "Friend Request: Carol Peterson." Mark felt a coldness wash over him, as if someone had poured ice water down his back. Carol Peterson, who used to delight in maki...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 80 words

The balloons bobbed uselessly in the corner of the living room, a stark contrast to the emptiness that now pervaded the space. Amelia clutched the casserole dish a little tighter, the ceramic growing ...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 70 words

He’d spent the whole afternoon perfecting his entrance, practicing a casual, witty greeting. Now, the darkened restaurant felt cavernous, the air thick with the scent of unsold seafood. David stood ...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 82 words

The cake, a three-tiered monstrosity adorned with buttercream roses, sat forlornly on the kitchen counter. Sarah couldn't bring herself to touch it. Her face burned, a sensation that spread down to he...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 72 words

“Did…did they forget?” Michael asked, his voice barely a whisper. He’d meticulously planned the decorations, stringing fairy lights and crafting personalized banners. The backyard, once a vibr...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 70 words

The waiter approached, his face a mask of polite concern. “The other guests… are they still coming, sir?” Alex mumbled something unintelligible, averting his gaze. The restaurant’s chatter fel...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 65 words

"I…I don’t understand," she stammered, her voice cracking. The decorations, her carefully chosen playlist, the meticulously planned scavenger hunt— all had been meticulously set up. She'd put so...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 75 words

The gift, wrapped in shimmering paper, felt ridiculously heavy in his hands. It represented weeks of saving, searching for the ideal present. He’d envisioned the look on her face, the genuine deligh...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 68 words

“Well, this is awkward,” I mumbled under my breath. The streamers and balloons were a riot of colour in the otherwise dull office. My colleagues were supposed to be here any minute. I spent weeks ...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 74 words

He stared at the untouched buffet table, a vibrant spread of his favourite dishes. He'd even hired a mariachi band. Each item, now cold and abandoned, was a symbol of his dashed hopes. A bead of sweat...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 72 words

The venue, a cozy little pub, was deserted. The bartender, leaning on the counter, offered a sympathetic nod. Her carefully selected playlist, designed to evoke nostalgia and good times, now blasted o...