Gemotions

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 162 words

The email sat in Amelia’s inbox, a blinking red notification. Her heart jumped. Not for the usual reason, the thrill of seeing her name – or what she’d thought was her name – attached to a pub...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 135 words

Liam had spent the entire train ride agonizing. He’d seen the announcement on the publication’s Twitter feed: a glowing endorsement, the author’s name splashed across the banner. Not his. He wan...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 130 words

The party was in full swing, music thumping, laughter echoing off the walls. Sarah, however, felt a strange kind of sickness bubbling in her stomach. She saw the familiar name attached to the article,...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 112 words

"Amazing article, David!" The editor’s voice boomed across the office. David, however, felt his cheeks flush. He forced a smile. The compliment, so intended for *him*, felt like a brand, searing int...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 104 words

The phone rang. It was her mother, ecstatic about the article. "Darling, it's wonderful!" The words, meant to fill her with joy, brought a fresh wave of nausea. She mumbled a reply, keeping her voice...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 115 words

He stared at the page, the words blurring before his eyes. It was a well-written piece, he had to admit, but it was *his* piece. He felt a knot tighten in his stomach. His hands felt clammy. He walke...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 101 words

The awards ceremony. The culmination of everything. And the article, the *wrongly* attributed article, had been nominated. She sat at her table, the music a dull hum in the background. She felt expose...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 104 words

The comments section was a battlefield. Praise for the article, but for *them*, not for him. He scrolled through the endless stream, each positive word a stab in his gut. His hands shook. He shut dow...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 108 words

"So, tell me about your article," the interviewer began, a smile playing on her lips. She looked directly at her, but she felt as though her gaze was completely elsewhere. She struggled to breathe. H...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 97 words

The publication's annual staff meeting. Everyone was congratulating the article's author. He was silent, his chair pulled back from the table. His shoulders were slumped. He avoided all eye contact, ...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 136 words

The clipboard felt heavy in Maya’s trembling hands. The coach had called her name, but not for the spot she’d dreamed of. Not for starting forward. Now, she stood awkwardly, watching the other gir...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 127 words

Dust swirled around Liam’s ankles as he watched the final roster board go up. He’d poured everything into these tryouts, every sprint, every practice. Now, his stomach churned, a cold wave washing...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 135 words

The weight of the violin pressed against Clara's neck, a familiar comfort that was now a burden. The audition results hung on the bulletin board, a stark list of names. She scanned the names, her hear...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 128 words

From his vantage point, Leo could see the victory celebrations erupt. He sat on the bench, pulling at the frayed edges of his shorts. He hadn't made the cut for the varsity team. The coach had spoken,...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 103 words

"Good luck next year," the words rung in Ethan's ears as he stood in the doorway. He hadn't been picked for the debate team. He was certain he'd get in. He’d practiced tirelessly. Now, he felt the b...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 113 words

“Next!” The judge’s voice was clipped, official. Sarah forced a smile, attempting to appear unfazed. She waited, feeling the heat crawl up her neck. She’d worked so hard on her gymnastic routi...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 119 words

The locker room was a cacophony of excited shouts and triumphant laughter. Alex sat on the bench, meticulously re-tying his shoelaces. The coach had delivered the news only minutes ago: no starting po...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 103 words

The air in the art studio was thick with anticipation. Then the announcements came. Only some would get their work displayed. Mark listened intently. Not his painting. He'd poured his heart into this ...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 114 words

The stage lights seemed to bore into him. The director's words about his audition for the school play seemed to echo in his ears: "Almost, but not quite." Now, as the cast list went up, he felt the bl...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 116 words

The band leader’s voice boomed through the practice room, announcing the seating arrangements for the upcoming concert. For years, Chloe had been first chair. Now, she was relegated to a lower secti...

An employee is transferred to a different department 168 words

The new cubicle felt too large. Amelia smoothed her skirt, the fabric bunching up slightly under her nervous hands. It was the marketing department now, a world away from the quiet spreadsheets of acc...

An employee is transferred to a different department 136 words

His tie felt too tight. David fidgeted, pulling at it discreetly under the pretense of adjusting his posture. He was in sales now, and the vibrant, bustling atmosphere of the sales floor was a stark c...

An employee is transferred to a different department 120 words

The coffee tasted bitter. Sarah grimaced, setting the cup down on her new desk in the IT department. Everything felt unfamiliar, the jargon, the equipment, the complex web of interconnected systems. S...

An employee is transferred to a different department 116 words

It felt like everyone was watching him. Michael’s gaze darted around the open-plan office, taking in the creative team’s vibrant workspace. Bright colors, quirky posters, and a general air of bohe...

An employee is transferred to a different department 119 words

The new desk chair squeaked under her weight. Clara ran her fingers through her hair, smoothing down a stray strand. She was now in the customer service department, and the relentless stream of incomi...

An employee is transferred to a different department 115 words

He picked at a loose thread on his trousers. John stood by the water cooler, listening to the gossip of the accounting department, his old co-workers. He had been transferred to the executive suite, a...

An employee is transferred to a different department 113 words

The air conditioning was too cold. Emily wrapped her arms around herself, a futile attempt to ward off the chill. She was in the design department, and the creative energy of the new team was overwhel...

An employee is transferred to a different department 101 words

The new uniform felt itchy. Robert adjusted his collar, tugging it away from his neck. He was in the shipping and receiving department now, a world away from the office administration role he had prev...

An employee is transferred to a different department 106 words

Her voice wavered as she introduced herself to the new team. Maria felt the heat rising in her chest. She had been moved to the public relations department. She had been a librarian previously, used t...

An employee is transferred to a different department 113 words

He chewed nervously on his lip. Frank stared out the window of his new office, watching the city below. He was in the finance department. The fast pace and high stakes that came along with it, were di...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 128 words

The notification buzzed, a tiny electric shock against Liam's thigh. He nearly jumped. It was a friend request. From Mark Peterson. He hadn't seen Mark since fifth grade, when Mark had decided Liam’...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 105 words

Sarah's stomach clenched. A friend request from Brenda Miller. Brenda, who'd once called her "Butterface" in the school cafeteria. Sarah had always hated her slightly larger than average face. She fe...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 89 words

"Oh, great," Michael muttered under his breath. A friend request. From Kevin “Kev the Jerk” Johnson. Michael's breath hitched, shallow. He quickly clicked on the request, but before he could react...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 108 words

The email pinged, announcing a new friend request on the professional social media site. David stared at the sender, his brow furrowing. It was Emily Carter, from high school. Emily, who had always se...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 103 words

The phone vibrated on the table, and Clara jumped, spilling a bit of her coffee. The name on the screen was "Jason Miller." She gulped, her throat constricted. Jason, the star quarterback, the boy who...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 97 words

He stared at the notification. A friend request from Jessica Reed. The girl who used to call him "four eyes" and made his life a living hell in middle school. He felt a nervous tremor in his hands, wh...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 94 words

It was a friend request from Brad Henderson. The name alone made Maya feel her cheeks flush. He'd been the king of the popular kids, and she had been the awkward, quiet girl who always kept to herself...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 89 words

The computer screen blurred as Ben read the name: "Chloe Davis." He hadn't seen her in years, but he remembered her sharp wit and even sharper tongue. And the way she made him feel small. He ran a ha...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 79 words

A notification popped up, and Ethan immediately felt a knot form in his stomach. The name: "Tiffany Jones." She was the queen bee, the girl who made him feel invisible. He straightened his posture, a...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 90 words

The request was from Mark, the class clown who made fun of her lisp in elementary school. Amelia felt a heat wash over her, starting in her neck and spreading to her face. She felt like her heart was ...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 97 words

The dress itched. Sarah tugged at the hem, smoothing down the fabric, even though it was already perfectly straight. Her reflection in the hallway mirror seemed to mock her, the bright pink a splash o...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 89 words

He’d spent an hour perfecting his hair. Every strand had to be in place, every shadow of stubble on his jaw carefully shaved. Now, leaning against the chipped paint of the apartment door, Liam felt ...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 88 words

The tiny, rented apartment felt enormous now. Empty. Clara had meticulously prepared. She’d baked the cake, frosted it with painstaking care, and arranged the balloons in a perfect arc. She’d chos...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 82 words

"Are you sure about this, Mom?" Mark had asked, fidgeting with his tie. He hated ties. He hated everything about the feeling of being overdressed, of sticking out. He imagined everyone looking at him,...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 77 words

The floral arrangement was too tall. Amelia kept rearranging the petals, trying to find the perfect balance. She'd spent the entire afternoon decorating, meticulously placing each streamer and balloon...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 80 words

He’d picked the perfect vintage shirt, the one that always earned compliments. David walked up the stairs towards the party’s location. He'd envisioned himself effortlessly charming, weaving throu...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 87 words

The invitations were beautiful, each one hand-calligraphed. Eleanor had agonized over the wording, the font, the paper stock. She wanted to create a sense of occasion, of elegance. It was supposed to ...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 79 words

The music selection had been crucial. Ben had spent hours curating the perfect playlist, a blend of indie rock and classic soul, designed to impress. He pictured himself effortlessly cool, nodding alo...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 81 words

Her carefully chosen outfit felt suddenly… wrong. The high heels, normally empowering, now felt like precarious stilts. She had rehearsed a gracious smile. The party was supposed to be a surprise, s...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 81 words

He stared at the perfectly arranged cheese board. Michael had spent a fortune on artisanal cheeses, crackers, and olives. He imagined the conversations, the compliments on his taste. He’d even writt...