Gemotions

The librarian had placed a copy of the textbook in front of her. Sarah's breath hitched as her essay, her entire life distilled into a few hundred words, stared back at her. She felt like an exhibit at a museum, a relic of a past self. The memory of the writer’s block, the hours of revision, and the raw emotion were all so incredibly vivid.

A strange warmth spread through her, replacing the initial shock. She thought of her classmates, their struggles, their dreams, all laid bare in their own applications. She felt a profound connection to their struggles and their bravery. She understood the courage it took to put oneself on display, and she silently offered them the comfort she wished she had then.