Gemotions

He’d forgotten the essay even existed. Until now, seeing it reprinted in the admissions office's pamphlet. Liam’s stomach twisted. He remembered the grueling process: the countless drafts, the agonizing over every syllable. The sheer ambition, the burning desire to escape his small town. Seeing it laid bare again, he winced.

He felt the old insecurities resurfacing. Would they see through his facade? Would they realize he was faking his confidence? He recalled the lonely evenings spent agonizing over the perfect words, hoping, praying he'd be good enough. A rush of feeling washed over him, and he instinctively wanted to reach out to the other applicants, to tell them, “I understand.”