Gemotions

She sat frozen in her chair, staring at the screen. The words of her essay, once a source of accomplishment, now felt like a public confession. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic, frantic rhythm. She felt a burning sensation in her throat.

She wanted to delete the article, erase her name, vanish completely. It was too late, though. The words were there, permanently etched on the internet. She was no longer in control.

She closed her eyes, trying to block out the image of the essay. She couldn't. This feeling, this awful feeling, persisted.