Gemotions

The student newspaper. That's where he saw it. His face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and… was it pride? His college application essay, a reflection on overcoming his stutter, was showcased as an example in a recent article. Mark’s hands began to tremble.

He found himself walking the same route he took as a college freshman. He walked past the lecture halls, the library, the student union. He paused, looking around at the bustling campus. He felt the nervous energy in his stomach, the fear of speaking in class, the crushing weight of his self-consciousness.

He could still feel the echoes of the laughter, the embarrassment of being unable to get his words out. But he also remembered the support of his friends, the unwavering belief of his professors, the gradual, hard-won victory of finding his voice. He felt a tightness in his chest and had to consciously take a deep breath to calm himself.