Gemotions

The email arrived as she was about to start her shift at the coffee shop. A cheerful subject line, a link to the university’s website. Chloe clicked. There it was: her essay. The words, the thoughts, the raw emotion – all laid bare. Her application essay, chosen as an exemplar of "great writing."

Chloe’s vision blurred. The world seemed to spin. She gripped the counter, knuckles white. She had shared her struggles with anorexia, her battle to recover. It was a story she’d almost kept hidden. And now, this. The sheer audacity of it. The lack of consideration.

Her breath hitched. She felt a burning sensation behind her eyes. She wanted to scream, to lash out, to somehow reclaim the words that had been stolen from her. She pushed away from the counter, ignoring the curious glances of her coworkers. She had to get away. She needed to breathe.