Gemotions

He saw it while scrolling through his university's website. A little box, a smiling face, and the words "Student Essay Spotlight." Liam's eyes narrowed. He clicked the link, his pulse hammering against his ribs. There it was: his essay, the one about his grandfather, the one he'd agonized over, meticulously crafting, polishing, and perfecting.

Liam’s fingers curled into fists. He felt a sudden, intense heat flush his face. He’d poured his soul onto that page, revealing a side of himself he rarely showed. Now, every single word was laid bare for anyone with an internet connection. He pictured his grandfather reading it, maybe, and suddenly he felt exposed and ashamed.

He grabbed his phone and started to type a scathing email. The words flowed out, each character a stab of resentment. He deleted it. He started again, a calmer, more measured tone. Delete. The phone slipped from his hand, clattering onto the desk. He kicked the chair backward with a violent jerk.

He could feel the tremor in his hands. He took a deep breath. This was unbelievable. He paced the length of his apartment, the frustration building with each step.