Gemotions

The coffee shop buzzed around Maya, but the noise faded into a distant hum. She’d been enjoying a rare Saturday morning, until her friend, practically squealing, pointed out her essay on a popular college admissions blog. Maya’s face burned. The essay was intensely personal; a story she rarely shared. She felt a sharp pang of embarrassment, followed by a surge of anger.

She grabbed her coffee, the ceramic cup suddenly cold against her trembling fingers. She took a large gulp, the hot liquid doing nothing to soothe the fiery feeling in her chest. She stood abruptly, knocking over her chair. The noise startled a few people, but Maya didn't register them. She needed air, to escape the suffocating feeling.