Gemotions

Maya stared at the pristine pages, the glossy finish a stark contrast to the slightly crumpled copy she’d submitted years ago. There it was: her college application essay, now a shining example in a “Best Essays” anthology. A smile tugged at her lips, but it felt hollow. She recalled the late nights, the self-doubt, the desperate hope that coursed through her as she typed each word. Her heart ached a little for the insecure teenager she once was, pouring her soul onto the page.

She traced her finger over the printed words, remembering the sharp sting of rejection from other schools. How much pressure she'd put on herself! It all felt so distant now, yet the vulnerability of the essay still resonated, and she felt a wave of tenderness toward that younger version of herself.