Gemotions

He re-read the email, his stomach churning. "A Masterpiece!" it declared, linking to his essay. He shut the laptop with a snap. The elation he’d felt when he wrote it was replaced by a crippling sense of exposure. It was all real, the things he’d said.

He found himself wandering the campus grounds, avoiding eye contact with anyone. He passed a group of students laughing, and the sound of their merriment was like a physical blow. He felt a deep ache within him. He wanted to scream.

He made his way back to his room. He locked the door and lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.