Gemotions

A neighbor's dog keeps escaping into their yard 117 words

The doorbell rang, and Mrs. Gable was at it again, a frantic look on her face. "Buddy's out! He's in your azaleas this time!" I opened the door, a half-eaten sandwich still in my hand. My gaze drifted...

A neighbor's dog keeps escaping into their yard 119 words

My back was starting to ache from bending over. Every single time, the same thing. Buddy, the supposed escape artist, was lounging on my freshly mowed lawn, looking supremely unconcerned. I glanced at...

A neighbor's dog keeps escaping into their yard 100 words

The frantic pounding at my door was becoming a familiar rhythm. I knew, even before I opened it, what I would see. The worried face, the frantic gestures, the inevitable request. Buddy. "He was just ...

A neighbor's dog keeps escaping into their yard 115 words

The sun beat down as I walked across the street. There was old man Hemmings, pacing the length of his own driveway. Buddy was in his yard again. Honestly, it was a joke. I mean, who leaves their dog o...

A neighbor's dog keeps escaping into their yard 92 words

Another note on my door. I knew it before I'd even opened it. "Buddy! Your backyard! Again!" The handwriting was frantic, the exclamation points excessive. I crumpled the note and tossed it into the t...

A neighbor's dog keeps escaping into their yard 93 words

"He just... disappears!" Ms. Davies, the owner, was practically wringing her hands as I found her in front of my gate. I walked over to the fence, giving it a good look-over. It was solid. The latch ...

A neighbor's dog keeps escaping into their yard 117 words

The thought crossed my mind, as it often did these days, as I saw the owner in my yard again. I kept an eye on Buddy, who was happily sniffing the flowers. I should just start locking my own gate. I m...

A neighbor's dog keeps escaping into their yard 99 words

The phone call came at exactly 3:17 pm. "Buddy's in your yard again!" Mrs. Hawthorne's voice was a high-pitched whine. I didn't even bother putting down my book. I went straight to the window. And th...

A neighbor's dog keeps escaping into their yard 54 words

I saw it. Buddy, sitting patiently, waiting. And his owner, standing right next to the fence. The owner opened the gate, watched him run in, and then stood there, like a statue. My own heart was hamm...

A neighbor's dog keeps escaping into their yard 87 words

"He's out!" the email read, in all caps, a familiar message from my neighbor. I went outside and glanced to the fence line. It was locked. All the other times, it was. But this time, I knew. There, i...

A coach has to cut a player from the team 147 words

Coach Miller's office always smelled faintly of stale coffee and desperation. Today, the desperation felt particularly thick. He'd called in Maya, the star forward, after practice. He'd said it was ab...

A coach has to cut a player from the team 142 words

He stared at the note in his hand, the words blurring slightly. Coach Thompson wanted to see him. Just him. After a losing streak, this was never good news. He ran a hand through his hair, already sli...

A coach has to cut a player from the team 124 words

The weight room always gave him a headache. The heavy iron and the smell of sweat made him feel queasy. Coach Davies had summoned him. He’d seen the way Davies had been looking at him lately, the na...

A coach has to cut a player from the team 112 words

The locker room felt unusually quiet. He'd seen the other players, their eyes avoiding his. Coach Johnson had asked him to stay. He felt a tremor run through him, a jolt of anxiety. He took a deep bre...

A coach has to cut a player from the team 115 words

The walk to the coach’s office felt interminable. Each step was a step toward something unwanted. It was the same worn path he’d taken countless times, yet today it felt different. He could feel t...

A coach has to cut a player from the team 117 words

“Come in, Alex.” The voice of the coach boomed from his office. The tone was uncharacteristically gentle. Alex hesitated at the door, his throat suddenly dry. He stepped inside. The office was sp...

A coach has to cut a player from the team 116 words

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the field as he walked toward the coach's office. He kicked at a loose stone, sending it skittering across the dry grass. He knew what this meeting was about...

A coach has to cut a player from the team 93 words

The aroma of stale popcorn and cheap coffee hung heavy in the air as he was ushered into the coach's office. He recognized the look on the coach’s face. The tight smile, the forced cheerfulness. He'...

A coach has to cut a player from the team 104 words

He knew this call would come. He had the feeling in the pit of his stomach. Coach Harrison wanted to see him after the practice. He walked to the office. Every single step felt like it was going to hi...

A coach has to cut a player from the team 110 words

The locker room felt colder than usual. He stood at the door, the chill seeping into his bones. Coach Evans had pulled him aside. He had a sinking feeling in his stomach. Coach Evans sat at his desk,...

Someone learns their favorite author plagiarized their stories 183 words

The email sat in Amelia’s inbox, a blinking red notification. Her heart hammered a quick staccato against her ribs. She took a long, slow breath, trying to calm the jittery feeling crawling through ...

Someone learns their favorite author plagiarized their stories 154 words

Thomas squinted at the monitor, his brow furrowed. The article was a sensationalist mess, filled with accusations against his literary idol, Julian Bellweather. He wasn't convinced. Still, he ran his ...

Someone learns their favorite author plagiarized their stories 164 words

"No way," Clara breathed, her voice barely a whisper. The news report blared from the television, a relentless barrage of evidence. The anchor’s voice droned on, detailing the alleged plagiarism com...

Someone learns their favorite author plagiarized their stories 136 words

The coffee cup trembled in Leo’s hands, sloshing coffee over the rim. He wiped at the stain on his favorite armchair. The accusations against renowned author Evelyn Reed were all over the internet. ...

Someone learns their favorite author plagiarized their stories 142 words

The phone slipped from Eliza’s numb fingers and clattered onto the hardwood floor. She stared at the screen, the accusations against her idol, Silas Blackwood, still flashing before her eyes. The ro...

Someone learns their favorite author plagiarized their stories 122 words

He stared at the documents, the printouts of his own unpublished manuscript laid out next to the excerpts from Arthur Finch’s latest novel. His throat felt constricted, making it difficult to swallo...

Someone learns their favorite author plagiarized their stories 118 words

The news report played silently in the background, but Maya couldn’t focus on the words. The pictures plastered on the screen showed the literary hero she loved: Aveline Moreau. The claims of plagia...

Someone learns their favorite author plagiarized their stories 136 words

The restaurant buzzed around Leo, but he was oblivious to the noise. He stared at the article on his phone, the headline screaming about the plagiarism allegations against celebrated author Charles St...

Someone learns their favorite author plagiarized their stories 128 words

The sun streamed through the window, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air, but Claire barely noticed. Her hands trembled as she read the accusatory article. Her favorite author, Eleanor Vanc...

Someone learns their favorite author plagiarized their stories 126 words

Ethan paced his small apartment, the article on his laptop open and visible. The accusations against his literary hero, Alistair Finch, hung in the air like a shroud. He’d built his career, in a way...

A student finds out their scholarship was meant for someone else 170 words

The email arrived like a punch to the gut. *Congratulations, recipient of the prestigious Henderson Scholarship!* Sarah reread it, her fingers tightening around her mouse. The Henderson Scholarship. T...

A student finds out their scholarship was meant for someone else 161 words

Michael slammed his laptop shut, the metallic clang echoing in the cramped dorm room. He got up from his desk and wandered over to the window, staring out at the rain-slicked campus. The notification ...

A student finds out their scholarship was meant for someone else 138 words

The Dean's office was a swirl of floral wallpaper and hushed whispers. Emily sat rigidly on the uncomfortable chair, clutching the acceptance letter for the “Future Leaders” award. It was a massiv...

A student finds out their scholarship was meant for someone else 127 words

"Can you believe it?" Liam exclaimed, waving the acceptance letter in front of his roommate, Ben. Ben, who had always been the pragmatist, looked at the letter with an unreadable expression. Liam was ...

A student finds out their scholarship was meant for someone else 124 words

The university cafeteria was a cacophony of clattering trays and boisterous laughter. Across the table, Chloe tried to maintain a cheerful demeanor, despite the icy feeling in her chest. She had just ...

A student finds out their scholarship was meant for someone else 119 words

David paced back and forth in his tiny apartment, the acceptance email glowing on his phone screen. He kept going back to it. *Congratulations, David!* The “Aspire Higher” award. The funds would c...

A student finds out their scholarship was meant for someone else 114 words

From across the library, Sophia watched the world go by, while her heart was racing. She had received the “Legacy Grant.” A massive, life-altering amount of money. But she couldn’t shake the fee...

A student finds out their scholarship was meant for someone else 118 words

The phone rang, and it was the university advising her about the “Rising Star” scholarship. Alex answered with a jolt, suddenly finding himself unable to speak. The university offered him financia...

A student finds out their scholarship was meant for someone else 120 words

Standing at the bus stop, Maya read the email again, the words beginning to swim before her eyes. *Awarded the 'Pathfinder' Scholarship.* A huge sum of money, enough to ease her financial strain. But ...

A student finds out their scholarship was meant for someone else 121 words

The celebratory dinner with her family felt forced. Olivia kept a smile plastered on her face, but inside, a storm was brewing. The “Innovator’s Grant” had been a godsend, but the joy was muted....

Someone discovers their teenager has a secret social media account 136 words

The glowing screen reflected in Sarah's tired eyes as she scrolled through the unfamiliar profile. "SparklePony99?" That was what her daughter, Emily, was apparently calling herself online. Sarah frow...

Someone discovers their teenager has a secret social media account 133 words

John ran a hand through his thinning hair, a furrow deepening between his eyebrows. He’d found the account accidentally. His son, Michael, had left his laptop open, and the colorful interface had ca...

Someone discovers their teenager has a secret social media account 124 words

"She wouldn't," Maria muttered, pacing the length of her living room. The evidence was right there on the screen, a whole other identity for her daughter, Sofia. Maria kept running her hand over her f...

Someone discovers their teenager has a secret social media account 127 words

The tiny, almost imperceptible twitching in Mark's eye was the first sign. He had never been one for drama, so when he found the account he didn't shout or raise his voice. He simply sat down on the b...

Someone discovers their teenager has a secret social media account 131 words

“This is a mistake,” David told himself, his voice barely above a whisper. He scrolled again, and again, through the content. He sat in his son's room, on the very edge of the bed, feeling suddenl...

Someone discovers their teenager has a secret social media account 114 words

"No way," Brenda said, her voice a near-silent hiss. She was crouched by her daughter’s desk. The account had been displayed on the screen. It was all so innocent, a cute little profile. Brenda sto...

Someone discovers their teenager has a secret social media account 109 words

"Ridiculous," Frank muttered, swiping through the feed. He slumped against the headboard, feeling a sudden lack of energy. He'd never liked social media. Now, he was looking at his son’s. It seemed ...

Someone discovers their teenager has a secret social media account 101 words

The air in the kitchen felt thick and heavy. Carol stared, motionless, at the tablet screen. Her daughter, Olivia, had a secret account. The images were bright, the captions cheerful. Olivia seemed to...

Someone discovers their teenager has a secret social media account 108 words

I felt a coldness wash over me. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my son, Leo's, account. I'd found it by accident. I kept telling myself it was nothing. Just kids being kids. The images were ...

Someone discovers their teenager has a secret social media account 120 words

The screen emitted a cold, sterile light that illuminated Robert's features. He leaned back in his chair, a knot forming in his throat. He’d found the hidden account – the one belonging to his dau...