Gemotions

The article, emblazoned on the student newspaper's website, seemed to shout her name. Her essay, the one she’d crafted with such care, her vulnerability laid bare for all to read. She sat frozen, her breakfast untouched, the toast growing cold. She'd known it was good, but this...this felt like a violation.

She finally pushed away from the table, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. She needed to be alone. She headed to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. Her eyes were red, her reflection unfamiliar. She stared at herself.

Later, she decided to avoid campus. A deep sense of shame kept her confined to her room.