Gemotions

Liam stared at the university website, the featured essay – his essay – a mocking presence on the landing page. He felt his face flush, and a heavy weight settled in his chest, making it hard to breathe. It was that story, the one where he detailed his fractured relationship with his father. Now everyone could read it, know his flaws, the things he kept hidden.

He hunched his shoulders, a protective gesture, as if trying to shrink away from the digital spotlight. He could hear the blood pounding in his ears. It was like they had taken a piece of him and put it on display.

He closed the webpage, but the words echoed in his mind. He wanted to go hide under the covers and never come out. He picked up his phone, scrolling through contacts, but the words of the essay, the shame it revealed, made him want to shut himself off from everyone.