Gemotions

John felt the world shrink to the confines of his cramped dorm room. His application essay, “The Symphony of Silence,” stared back at him from the glossy pages of the university's brochure. He'd poured weeks into crafting it, a labor of love that was now, somehow, public property. His hands trembled as he picked up the book, fingers tracing the printed words.

He scrubbed a hand across his face, a gesture of sheer frustration. He wasn’t prepared for this. The air in the room felt thick, heavy, as though the walls were closing in. He felt his breathing quicken, shallow and uneven.

He considered going to class, but the thought brought forth an image of him in the hall, being judged. The thought was impossible. He tossed the brochure onto his desk and walked over to the window, needing air.