Gemotions

Maya sighed contentedly, sinking deeper into the plush armchair. Sunlight poured through the window, warming her skin. The gentle clinking of ice in her iced tea seemed the only sound in the afternoon quiet. She ran a hand through her hair, a gesture that came without conscious thought. It was a comfortable habit. The thought of anything disturbing the peace of the moment was far from her mind.

She clicked open the university’s alumni newsletter on her tablet, a habit she'd grown into out of curiosity. Scrolling through the features, she felt a familiar flutter of fondness for her alma mater. A feature about student success caught her eye, and she clicked on it.

A wave of discombobulation crashed over her. The words, carefully chosen, the sentiments, deeply felt, were undeniably hers. Her college essay. Right there, in the digital publication, attributed to…some anonymous student. Her heart skipped a beat. The world tilted slightly.