Gemotions

He’d been laughing, just moments ago, boasting to his friends about the acceptance he'd received. Now, Liam’s laughter died in his throat, replaced by a strange hollowness. The college admissions website he was browsing suddenly displayed his essay, a featured example for prospective students. His chest felt constricted, making each breath a laborious effort. He felt suddenly vulnerable, exposed.

He clicked on the link, his cursor a trembling arrow. He reread the opening lines, the sentences he’d poured his heart into, and felt a surge of heat crawl up his neck. He slapped the laptop closed, the screen blacking out the words.

“Dude, what’s up?” his friend, Mark, asked. Liam just shook his head, his throat tight. He needed to get away, to be alone, to process this. He grabbed his backpack, mumbled an excuse, and abruptly turned, leaving Mark staring after him.