Gemotions

The notification popped up on Liam's phone during a particularly boring lecture. He usually ignored them, but the subject line, “Your Essay: A Success Story!” snagged his attention. The blood drained from his face as he clicked the link. His essay, his vulnerability, was on display, a specimen for study. He felt a deep hollowness, a sense of having been robbed.

He slowly closed his laptop, ignoring the professor’s droning voice. He needed to get out. He felt a physical pressure on his chest, making it hard to breathe. He gathered his things, his movements jerky and hurried, and slipped out of the classroom, the disapproving stares a dull echo in his mind.