Gemotions

The letter arrived. A celebratory email from the university, the same one that had rejected her. They were asking for permission to use her essay in a promotional video. She crumpled the email in her hand. The paper crinkled loudly.

She walked over to the window and threw it into the trash can. She stood at the window, staring out at the rain. She recalled the day she wrote that essay. The optimism, the youthful naiveté. The memory made her feel sick.

They wanted to use her again, to profit from her past. The anger, sharp and cold, hardened her resolve. She felt a sudden urge to scream.