Gemotions

He ran a hand through his hair, leaving it a mess. The air in his tiny apartment felt thick, almost suffocating. He paced, the wooden floorboards groaning under his restless movements. The email notification, a cheerful chime, had nearly sent him into a panic attack. "Congratulations! Your essay has been selected for publication..." The words seemed to mock him.

His gaze flickered to the stack of rejection letters piled precariously on his desk. Each one felt like a fresh wound. He’d poured his heart into that essay, exposing vulnerabilities he’d kept hidden for years. Now, everyone would be reading it, judging him.

He grabbed his phone, his fingers trembling as he dialed his mother's number. “Hey,” he croaked, his voice strained. “Can…can you come over?” The request felt childish, embarrassing, but he couldn't face this alone.