Gemotions

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 173 words

The coffee tasted like ash in her mouth. She'd been up since four, pacing the worn rug in her tiny apartment, the linoleum cold beneath her bare feet. Now, she held the printed copy of "The Ethical Im...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 144 words

Rain hammered against the windowpane, mirroring the relentless drumming in his head. He'd envisioned this moment, the moment his name would grace the cover of "Quantum Physics Today." He’d spent yea...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 141 words

She slammed the laptop shut, the metallic clang echoing in the sterile, white-walled office. Her fingers, usually nimble on the keyboard, fumbled with the clasp of her bag. The air conditioning was cr...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 149 words

The cheap beer tasted metallic, the bubbles doing nothing to lighten the suffocating atmosphere of the bar. He’d come here, hoping to drown his sorrows, but the liquid offered no solace. The news, t...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 125 words

The phone felt heavy in her hand. The silence on the other end felt even heavier. Her sister’s voice, usually a soothing balm, sounded distant, almost brittle. “Are you alright?” she asked. “...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 128 words

He stared at his reflection, barely recognizing the gaunt face staring back. He hadn't shaved in days. His eyes were bloodshot, ringed with dark circles. He’d skipped dinner the last two nights, the...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 122 words

She walked past the gleaming glass front of the bookstore, her pace slowing involuntarily. The sight of the magazine display, the vibrant cover art, made her stomach clench. Her article, now hers no m...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 118 words

The air in the museum felt thick and heavy. He trailed his fingers along the smooth surface of the exhibit wall. He’d envisioned his research on ancient pottery being displayed here. Now it was some...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 120 words

The cold wind whipped at her face as she sat on the park bench, the city skyline a blurry mess in the distance. The rejection email, or rather, the theft email, was a weight in her pocket. It felt lik...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 102 words

He stared at the blank screen, the cursor blinking accusingly. He'd intended to start work on a new project, a fresh start. But the words wouldn't come. His mind was a tangled mess of anger and despai...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 135 words

Rain lashed against the windows of Maya's tiny apartment, mirroring the storm inside her. She hadn't bothered to turn on the lights, preferring the gray gloom. Her track bag lay discarded by the door,...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 124 words

Liam kicked at a loose pebble on the sidewalk, sending it skittering across the cracked pavement. He hadn't spoken to anyone since the announcement. His shoulders were slumped, his usual confident str...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 121 words

"Want something to eat, honey?" Her mother's voice was gentle, filled with concern. Sarah just shook her head, unable to meet her gaze. The aroma of freshly baked cookies usually made her mouth water,...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 115 words

The weight of the rejection felt like a physical burden on David's chest. He avoided his usual after-school hangout spot at the skatepark. The air there used to feel electric; today, it seemed to suff...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 114 words

"He didn't make it," whispered someone in the hallway. John, hearing the comment, walked on, head down. The comment felt like a blow. It was a truth he didn't want to accept, the reality crushing him....

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 117 words

"Another slice?" Coach Williams’s invitation felt like a knife twisting. Maria politely refused the pizza, the food in her stomach, heavy and unwanted. She felt a burning sensation behind her eyes. ...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 108 words

The humid air of the gym felt thick and heavy. Ethan sat on the bleachers, watching the basketball team practice. He felt a throbbing sensation in his temples. He imagined himself out there, dribbling...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 113 words

The metallic tang of blood filled the air, a constant reminder. Ava stared at her hands, the rough calluses offering a false sense of security. She had poured everything into boxing, every waking mome...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 98 words

The silence of the house was deafening. Michael hadn't spoken to anyone since the soccer team selections were posted. His room, typically a chaotic jumble of books and equipment, was eerily tidy. Ever...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 112 words

"You were so close," his mother's voice was soothing, but the words felt like an insult. Carlos ignored her, turning away, staring at the empty space on the wall where his medals used to be. The empty...

An employee is transferred to a different department 152 words

The fluorescent lights of the accounting department seemed to hum a mocking tune. Amelia dragged herself to her desk, the chipped linoleum floor a vast expanse of unwelcome territory under her feet. H...

An employee is transferred to a different department 139 words

He slammed the door of his new cubicle a bit harder than necessary. The flimsy partition shuddered in protest. Thomas sank into his chair, the vinyl cold against his skin. This wasn’t him. He wasn't...

An employee is transferred to a different department 116 words

The scent of bleach and sterile surfaces in the hospital's administration wing made Sarah’s head ache. She gripped her coffee cup, the ceramic offering little comfort to her chilled fingers. The bus...

An employee is transferred to a different department 113 words

“Another one?” Mark muttered, his voice raspy. He stared out the window of his new office, watching the relentless rain. The grey sky mirrored his mood. The creative team’s sunny office felt lik...

An employee is transferred to a different department 110 words

The echo in the warehouse was deafening. Alex, fresh from the sales team, swallowed hard. The silence was unnerving. He was used to the buzz of phone calls and quick, witty interactions. Now, he was s...

An employee is transferred to a different department 110 words

“Right, so this is where you’ll be,” the manager said, pointing at a cramped corner of the library. Chloe, now transferred from the events department, just stared. The place was hushed, the air ...

An employee is transferred to a different department 93 words

The sales department’s open plan office was loud, alive, and energetic. This new position, in the quiet, methodical world of data analysis, felt like a prison. Sarah knew the change was necessary, b...

An employee is transferred to a different department 102 words

The aroma of freshly baked bread and the cheerful chatter of customers was a distant memory. David now found himself in a windowless office, tasked with the mundane duties of supply chain management. ...

An employee is transferred to a different department 96 words

"Welcome aboard," the manager of the call center said. A sea of headsets and raised voices greeted him. He felt the blood drain from his face. This was not the change he wanted. He was used to the so...

An employee is transferred to a different department 110 words

The gleaming lobby of the luxury hotel, filled with the murmur of guests and the clink of glasses, was a world away from her new station in the laundry room. Elena's smile faded the instant the door c...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 140 words

The flickering fluorescent lights of the office seemed to mock Amelia’s weary state. She slumped at her desk, the half-eaten sandwich in her hand growing increasingly unappetizing. Her phone vibrate...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 151 words

He felt a sudden chill, despite the July heat. The sweat on Mark’s palms made the mouse slick beneath his fingers. He had been trying to find a new place to live, and the search had become an endles...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 104 words

"Great," Sarah muttered to herself, staring at the friend request. From Kevin “Kev the Creep” Davies. She ran a hand through her hair, tangling it further. The rain outside mirrored her mood, a st...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 111 words

The coffee tasted like ash in David's mouth. He had woken up with a headache, and his already hectic schedule just felt more difficult. The notification beeped. From Craig "Crusher" Carter. David's ja...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 87 words

The doctor's words still echoed in Emily's ears, weighing down her spirits. She was trying to get better. Then, the alert popped up. From "Big" Ben Peterson. Her fingers froze over the keyboard. She ...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 98 words

He had been trying to enjoy his pizza. It didn't taste right, though. The music he was listening to through his headphones sounded tinny. The notification: a friend request from "Bully" Bob. He felt a...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 102 words

The vibrant colours of the art gallery felt muted to Chloe. She was meant to be enjoying herself, but everything felt off. The request came, a cruel twist of the knife: From Derek "The Destroyer" Dona...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 89 words

The air conditioning hummed, but it didn't cool the office. The deadline was looming, and the pressure was immense. Then, the phone buzzed, displaying a friend request from "Mean" Maggie Mills. Alex f...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 90 words

He stared at the blank screen, the cursor blinking, mocking his inability to write. Writer’s block was a relentless torment. The alert: a friend request from "Vicious" Victor Vance. He felt a sharp ...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 100 words

The concert hall was filled with music, but Martha couldn't hear it. Her mind was elsewhere. Her partner was beside her. The phone buzzed. A friend request. From "Tormentor" Tony. A chill ran down her...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 91 words

The invitation sat on the kitchen counter, pristine and accusing. *Surprise! Celebrating You!* It mocked him, this cheerful scrap of cardstock, especially now. He crumpled it in his fist, the paper cr...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 85 words

Rain lashed against the window, mirroring the tempest brewing inside her. The text message had come just an hour ago: “Party’s off. Family emergency.” She reread it, the words blurring through u...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 82 words

He slammed the front door, the sound echoing in the empty house. The air felt heavy, stagnant, as if the very walls were absorbing his despair. He’d envisioned the crowded living room, the music thu...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 81 words

The email notification pinged, its cheerful tone at odds with the hollowness gnawing at her. “Party Postponed! New Date Coming Soon!” She scrolled through her calendar, each day now a blank expans...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 85 words

The world outside the coffee shop seemed to buzz with a vibrant energy she couldn't share. She sat hunched over her latte, the warmth doing nothing to thaw the icy grip around her. It was supposed to ...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 66 words

He stared at the untouched birthday cake, its colorful frosting a cruel reminder of what wasn't. The party, the laughter, the well-wishes - all replaced by an unexpected cancellation. He felt a deep, ...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 63 words

The house felt cavernous, the silence deafening. She paced the living room, her steps erratic, her hands clasped tightly. The carefully chosen playlist, the decorative balloons, the perfectly arranged...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 82 words

“So… it’s off then?” he asked, his voice flat, devoid of emotion. His friend, the one who'd broken the news, offered a clumsy apology. He just shrugged, unable to articulate the churning sensa...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 72 words

The anticipation had been a bright flame, now extinguished. She sat on the floor, surrounded by discarded wrapping paper, the remnants of gifts that would remain unopened. She felt a profound sense of...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 69 words

He stared at his reflection in the darkened window, the city lights twinkling outside a meaningless spectacle. The party, the surprise, the outpouring of affection, all vanished with a single phone ca...