Gemotions

He watched the university’s website load, the cursor blinking like a taunting eye. A knot tightened in his gut, but it didn't overwhelm him. This was it, the culmination of years of hard work, an essay about the year his family helped resettle refugees. He’d submitted it, hoping, but he knew the odds. He finally clicked the link to the accepted essay examples. There it was. His name. The color drained from his face for a second, then he chuckled, a small sound. He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin. He had time. The world wouldn't end if he took a moment.