Gemotions

The notification popped up on Daniel's phone. He was on the bus, crammed next to a stranger. It was a link to a blog post, claiming his essay, "The Compass of Courage," as a perfect example of what admissions officers were looking for. He felt a sense of disorientation, a strange hollowness.

He stared at the screen, the words blurring before his eyes. He slowly began to sweat. The ambient noise of the bus seemed amplified, a cacophony of sound. He closed his eyes, imagining himself somewhere far away from the cramped space, wishing it was all a dream.

He got off the bus at the next stop, ignoring the concerned glances of the other passengers. He walked aimlessly down the street, his feet dragging.