Gemotions

A wave of utter glee surged through Marcus. His head was light, his feet practically lifted off the ground. He had poured his heart and soul into that piece, and now, finally, the world would see it. He replayed the scene in his head. The editor's words of praise, the promise of publication... it all felt surreal. He bounced on the balls of his feet, his fingers drumming a happy tattoo on the worn countertop.

He checked the website again, eager to share the link. He'd already imagined the comments, the shares, the validation. His smile faltered, freezing in place. His eyes scanned the page, his breath catching in his throat. It wasn't his name. Another name entirely.

He felt the blood drain from his face, leaving him cold and numb. This wasn't supposed to happen. It was a mistake, surely. His carefully constructed world crumbled around him, the celebratory bubble burst. He sank into a chair, the vibrant colors of the room fading into a muted gray.