Gemotions

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 119 words

The email sat in the inbox, unread. She could practically feel the cold, clammy weight of the notification icon pressing down. It had been there since yesterday afternoon. She rubbed at her temples, a...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 86 words

A crumpled newspaper lay on the kitchen counter, discarded after a quick glance. He'd been looking for the sports section, really. Then he’d seen it: his meticulously researched piece on the migrato...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 111 words

She chewed on the inside of her cheek, a nervous habit she'd cultivated over the years. The notification on her phone had been pinging all day. Each time, she’d glanced at the screen, seen the subje...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 97 words

He sat on the park bench, watching the squirrels chase each other up and down the trees. The email sat open on his phone, the glaring headline taunting him. His work, his words, attributed to someone ...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 81 words

The phone rang, the shrill sound cutting through the quiet of her apartment. She let it ring until it stopped. A few minutes later, the text message arrived: “Saw your piece! Congrats!” She read i...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 85 words

He stared at the television screen, the credits rolling by. A familiar name appeared on the screen, one he knew well. This name was NOT his. This was not the first time his work had been taken. He’d...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 74 words

The news broke at a dinner party. “Congratulations on the publication!” the host had exclaimed, clinking her glass. She forced a smile. Across the table, the woman whose name was *on* the article ...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 82 words

The email, a cold, clinical document, sat on the screen. The wording was all there: the harsh critiques, the suggested edits, the eventual "This is the final draft, thank you for your contribution." T...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 74 words

He walked past the newsstand, catching a glimpse of the magazine cover. There it was: his article, perfectly positioned, alongside a picture of the wrong person. He stopped, paused, then kept walking....

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 79 words

"You did it! Finally published!" her friend had messaged her. The publication had been mentioned multiple times that day. This time, there was a link. She knew what she would see. She clicked the link...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 139 words

The noticeboard in the gym was plastered with names. A tight knot formed in Leo’s stomach as he scanned the list for his own. He found it near the bottom of the "B Team" roster, beneath a slew of na...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 129 words

Rain lashed against the windows of the community center, mirroring the bleakness outside. Maya stared at the rejection email on her phone. She’d put in so much work, so many grueling hours. Now, thi...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 116 words

"So, what do you think?" Coach Davis asked, clapping him on the shoulder. Alex just shrugged. The coach's expression fell. He’d clearly been expecting a different reaction. The team was announced a ...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 104 words

The locker room smelled of liniment and disappointment. For Sarah, the scent was simply… the usual. The tryouts for the swim team had ended disastrously. She'd missed her cut by a wide margin. She s...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 94 words

The band director’s words echoed in his ears: “Thank you, but we’re going to go in a different direction.” Ben clutched the clarinet case. His hands were clammy. The auditorium felt vast and c...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 82 words

He stared at the email, the rejection a cold wave. The robotics team had always been his passion, his escape. Now, the future stretched before him, a vast, unremarkable expanse. His fingers tapped a r...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 91 words

The news felt like nothing. Mark stood there, the clipboard dangling from his hand. He’d failed to make the baseball team. He glanced at the other hopefuls, a mix of exhilaration and disappointment ...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 93 words

The selection committee had spoken, their decisions final. Despite all his efforts, all the sacrifices, he didn't make the debate team. He was standing in the hall, the weight of his backpack pressing...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 92 words

He knew the news before the coach even spoke. His performance at tryouts for the track team had been mediocre, at best. The coach’s words confirmed his suspicions. He watched the runners celebrating...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 91 words

"Sorry, kid," the coach said, a hand on his shoulder. "Tough call." Liam nodded. The basketball tryouts had just concluded. He watched as the selected players slapped each other on the back, their fac...

An employee is transferred to a different department 158 words

The email arrived at precisely 9:03 AM. Subject: "Department Transfer - Clarissa Miller." Clarissa scanned the text. Marketing to Research & Development. She tapped the delete key absentmindedly, then...

An employee is transferred to a different department 135 words

"So, you're off to the Acquisitions team?" Brenda from accounting asked, leaning against the doorway, a file clutched to her chest. Mark shrugged, pushing a stray strand of hair behind his ear. "Yep. ...

An employee is transferred to a different department 133 words

The move felt like a formality. From the Human Resources cubicle to the Legal department. He'd done similar moves within the company before. She picked up a box and began filling it with framed photog...

An employee is transferred to a different department 131 words

The new office was brighter, filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, a stark contrast to the stale air of her old department. She surveyed the space, her eyes traveling from the sleek, modern ...

An employee is transferred to a different department 106 words

He was informed of the shift during his lunch break, the news delivered in the detached tone of an HR representative. His response was a bland, "Okay." He returned to his lukewarm sandwich, the taste ...

An employee is transferred to a different department 106 words

"Moving to the Creative team, eh?" The words, a question, were delivered with the usual forced joviality. He merely nodded, chewing the inside of his cheek. He had been through this before. It was jus...

An employee is transferred to a different department 74 words

The news was communicated in an email. He briefly looked at the information. He gave it no extra thought. He continued to work, as usual. He packed his things, the act a mechanical chore. He felt not...

An employee is transferred to a different department 88 words

“So you’re with the team now?” The words came from the new team lead. She nodded in reply, her eyes fixed on the coffee machine. The aroma of brewing coffee filled the air, but she felt no incli...

An employee is transferred to a different department 69 words

He didn't bother to ask questions. Marketing to Sales. It felt the same as always. He boxed up his things. He moved to the new office. He found his new desk. The people were different. The tasks were...

An employee is transferred to a different department 69 words

The transfer was a surprise, but not a significant one. The same company, a different department. She began to pack, her movements slow and deliberate. The office was quieter than usual, the hum of th...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 81 words

The notification popped up on Amelia’s screen as she scrolled through cat videos. Mark “The Shark” Thompson. Seriously? She clicked on the profile. A picture of Mark, older, a bit softer around ...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 86 words

A bead of sweat traced a path down Leo's temple as he read the request. He was trying to focus on his spreadsheets, but the name, Brenda Miller, kept distracting him. She’d been a terror in the four...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 85 words

The request from Kevin Henderson sat, a flashing beacon, amidst the other, more mundane, alerts on Maya’s phone. She had just finished a grueling workout, her muscles still protesting. She stared at...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 75 words

I saw the name, Brad Peterson, and the screen blurred slightly. I closed my eyes and leaned back in my chair. He had stolen my lunch money every day in fifth grade. I thought back to the countless pla...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 71 words

The tap on the shoulder jolted Clara from her work. It was her brother. "You see this?" he asked, pointing at his phone. There it was: a friend request from David Carter. Clara's stomach didn't even c...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 61 words

The sun streamed in, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air as Thomas scrolled through his newsfeed. He found the notification: Ashley Miller, requesting to be friends. He almost laughed. He r...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 70 words

The small, cracked screen of her phone glowed in the dim room. Emily saw the notification: a friend request from Greg Olsen. His name, that name, hadn’t registered anything but a slight flicker of r...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 73 words

The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the small apartment as Richard considered the request. Sarah Jenkins. She'd made his life a misery in middle school. He held the mug to his chest, the warmth ...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 71 words

I saw the name, Michael Davies, and a strange quietness settled over me. I sat on the bus stop bench. He was the one who had spread the rumors, the one who had turned everyone against me. But seeing t...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 66 words

The harsh fluorescent lights of the office hummed as Daniel received the notification. It was from Jessica Thorne. He paused his work on the computer. She had made his high school years a living hell....

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 60 words

The phone vibrated on the chipped kitchen counter. A text message. She glanced at it, a flicker of something close to boredom crossing her face as she read the words: "Party's off, sorry!" She swiped ...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 57 words

He stared at the email, the subject line a blunt proclamation: "Surprise Cancelled." He clicked the trash icon, the digital equivalent of a shrug. The notification sound of a new email immediately cut...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 65 words

"So, no party then?" She looked up from the book she was reading, her voice flat, devoid of inflection. Her friend, bustling with apologies, continued to explain the last-minute circumstances. She jus...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 65 words

The crumpled note landed in the bin with a soft *thud*. He continued to arrange the tools in his workshop, the rhythmic clang of metal on metal a steady counterpoint to the quiet devastation described...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 57 words

The message read, "Bad news! No party." She blinked, then poured another splash of wine into her already half-full glass. The amber liquid swirled, reflecting the faint light from the fireplace. She t...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 58 words

He stared at the empty space on his calendar where the party was supposed to be. A small sigh escaped his lips, a mere puff of air. He set the calendar down and went to the window, watching the rain s...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 51 words

The words "Regretfully, the party..." filled the screen. She closed the email, the click echoing in the quiet room. She glanced at the clock, then up at the ceiling. She decided to go to the grocery s...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 54 words

“No surprise party. Plans are off.” He read the message and put his phone down on the table. He took another bite of his sandwich, chewing slowly. The restaurant was bustling with activity, but th...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 51 words

I checked the text. "Party is no more, unfortunately." My gaze drifted to the untidy pile of laundry on the floor. I would start a load of wash, maybe two, I decided. The whir of the machine was a fam...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 47 words

He leaned back in his chair and scrolled past the notification, the words “Party canceled” disappearing from the screen. He opened a new document and began to type, the clicking of the keyboard fi...