Gemotions

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 67 words

Her fingers, usually deft on the keyboard, fumbled as she scrolled through the online journal. There it was: her meticulously crafted article, the culmination of months of research, splashed across th...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 76 words

He’d been eagerly awaiting the magazine's release. He'd envisioned the thrill of seeing his byline, the validation after so much work. Instead, as he flipped through the glossy pages, a knot of conf...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 65 words

She sat bolt upright in her chair, the notification on her phone flashing brightly. An email, congratulating her colleague, Mark, on the publication of *her* piece. Her piece! Her heart began to pound...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 69 words

The coffee cup slipped from his grasp, shattering on the tile floor. He stared, unblinking, at the email thread, the words blurring before his eyes. His article, his thoughts, his words, attributed to...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 76 words

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. Sarah, normally a picture of composure, felt a jolt of shock course through her. Her fingers flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp. Her article, her passion project,...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 61 words

He stared at the screen, his mouth agape. The digital page swam before his eyes. His carefully constructed prose, his painstakingly researched facts, were now credited to another individual. A chill r...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 66 words

The news arrived in a curt phone call. "Congratulations on the publication, David!" The voice on the other end was bright and congratulatory, but the words felt like a punch to the gut. *His* article?...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 70 words

A tremor ran through her as she recognized the familiar phrasing, the unique arguments, the very essence of her work. Yet, the name at the top was not hers. Her vision blurred, and the world began to ...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 70 words

He had been so proud, so excited to share his work with the world. He'd even imagined the reactions, the compliments. Instead, he found himself staring at a page that felt both familiar and alien. His...

A person finds out their article was published under someone else's name 67 words

"You've been published!" her friend exclaimed, brandishing a magazine. But as she read the article, a rising tide of confusion and then fury began to bubble within her. This was her work, her voice, h...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 86 words

The clipboard fell from Liam’s suddenly numb fingers. He stared at the posted roster, the paper a blurry mess. His name wasn’t there. He’d trained for this, poured every ounce of his being into ...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 80 words

A tremor ran through Maya’s hands as she scanned the list. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the silence of the gymnasium. This couldn't be right. After years of relent...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 91 words

"Next!" barked Coach Miller, his voice booming across the football field. Jake stood frozen, unable to move his feet. His legs felt like lead weights. He’d anticipated this moment with a certainty b...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 90 words

The announcement echoed in the empty squash court, the crack of the ball a stark reminder of his missed shots. Marcus slumped against the wall, his breath catching in his throat. He’d considered him...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 83 words

The digital clock on the basketball court blared 3:00 PM, a time that now felt ominous. Sarah stood rooted to the spot, her gaze fixed on the name list. Her carefully constructed mental image of playi...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 82 words

"Well, that's that then," muttered David, his voice flat. He was usually full of energy, but now he just felt...empty. He gazed at the soccer team roster, the names a jumbled mess before his eyes. He'...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 81 words

The cricket bat felt heavy in Rohan's hands. He gripped it tightly, his knuckles white. He’d envisioned himself, front and center, leading the team to victory. The coach had made his announcement, a...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 83 words

“Next!” called the track coach. Emily flinched at the sound, the words echoing in the stadium. She felt her face flush, heat spreading from her neck upwards. The list of qualifying times had been ...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 77 words

He'd tasted victory on the slopes many times, but now, the world was a blur of disappointment. Alex stared at the ski team roster, his chest tightening. No. This couldn't be happening. He’d dedicate...

An athlete doesn't make the team they expected to join 85 words

The hockey rink felt unusually cold, the air thick with the scent of stale ice. Michael stared at the team roster, a knot forming in his stomach. He’d thought he had it. He thought he deserved it. H...

An employee is transferred to a different department 86 words

The email shimmered on her screen, the words refusing to solidify. After five years in Accounts Receivable, she was being moved. Marketing. Her mouth fell slightly open, a silent "what?". Her fingers,...

An employee is transferred to a different department 82 words

A coldness crept up his spine, making him shiver despite the comfortable office temperature. He stared at the department assignment – Human Resources. He was a programmer, a digital architect. He’...

An employee is transferred to a different department 69 words

The notice arrived during lunch, a digital summons. "Operations" was the department listed. She'd been content in the library, surrounded by the comforting silence of the stacks. The air tasted sudden...

An employee is transferred to a different department 79 words

He read the email again, the words swimming before his eyes. "Customer Relations." He was known for his bluntness, his lack of patience. He couldn't help the small, involuntary twitch at the corner of...

An employee is transferred to a different department 69 words

The paper, a crisp white rectangle, felt heavy in her hand. "Research & Development." Her heart lurched. She, a seasoned salesperson, was being moved to R&D? She felt a prickle of sweat form on her br...

An employee is transferred to a different department 64 words

"Facilities Management." The words mocked him, bold and unyielding on the screen. He was a designer, a creator of beautiful things. He leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking in protest. His br...

An employee is transferred to a different department 60 words

The message was brief, impersonal. "IT Support." Her shoulders slumped. She'd been perfectly happy in Payroll, crunching numbers, managing spreadsheets. Now this? She ran a hand over her face, her fin...

An employee is transferred to a different department 58 words

It felt like a punch to the gut. "Sales" was the directive. He, who had always preferred the solitude of the warehouse, to Sales. He felt a sudden, inexplicable flush of heat. He swallowed hard, tryin...

An employee is transferred to a different department 53 words

I blinked, the words blurring on the screen. "Legal." Me? My hands went clammy. I leaned back in my chair, the plastic cold against my back. The office around me felt suddenly tight, constricting. I f...

An employee is transferred to a different department 54 words

The memo seemed to expand, taking up the entirety of her field of vision. "Executive Assistant to the CEO." Her brain short-circuited. She was a data entry clerk. She felt a strange tingling sensation...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 157 words

The notification popped up on Amelia's screen: "Chad Reynolds sent you a friend request." Amelia's jaw dropped, her fingers hovering over the mouse. It had been twenty years since she last saw Chad. T...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 111 words

"Is that...?" Michael squinted at his phone, the screen reflecting the harsh glare of the setting sun. The name, "Brenda Miller," was emblazoned above the familiar Facebook logo. He hadn’t thought a...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 122 words

"Oh, come on," muttered Clara, staring at the friend request. It was from Jake Morrison, the bane of her existence from sixth grade. She ran a hand through her hair, a nervous gesture. Her palms felt ...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 100 words

The notification buzzed, a tiny electronic tremor in Emily’s otherwise quiet morning. "Brian Olsen wants to be friends." Emily blinked, then blinked again. The world seemed to tilt on its axis for a...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 108 words

The email arrived like an unexpected storm, a digital deluge from the past. “Mark Evans has requested to connect on LinkedIn.” Daniel let out a soft, involuntary gasp. The knot in his stomach tigh...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 101 words

"Well, that's just fantastic," muttered George under his breath. He stared at the glowing screen: "Samantha Jones sent you a friend request." The words seemed to jump out at him, mocking him. He leane...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 106 words

It was the most innocuous of social media notifications, but it sent shivers down Sarah’s spine. "Request from: Kevin Thompson." The name was a key, unlocking a door to a time she'd preferred to kee...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 102 words

The message, arriving with the chime of a notification, read, “Chris Bradley wants to follow you.” Liam felt his face flush. He was overcome with a powerful sense of… something, he couldn’t pl...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 91 words

"Unbelievable," thought Jessica, her voice a near whisper. "David Chen has sent you a friend request." Her fingers tightened around her phone. The familiar feeling of unease spread through her, a pric...

Someone receives a friend request from a childhood bully 97 words

The email arrived at precisely 3:07 PM. "Subject: Checking In." From: "Jason Miller." Robert felt his blood run cold. His first instinct was to delete it, to pretend it hadn't happened. He felt a sudd...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 164 words

The balloons! Where were the balloons? Sarah arrived at the restaurant, clutching the gift bag she’d painstakingly wrapped in sparkly paper. The staff usually had the place decorated by now, but the...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 129 words

He’d pictured this moment for weeks. Michael adjusted his tie one last time, smoothing down his already perfect hair. The front door of his apartment building swung open, revealing the dim hallway a...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 119 words

The doorbell rang. Emily skipped to the door, a giddy anticipation bubbling inside her. She’d heard a lot of whispers, felt her friends behaving suspiciously. Today was it! Her birthday party. She t...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 125 words

"Just a quick coffee, then back to the office," James muttered to himself, parking the car. He’d told everyone he was working late, a necessary deception. This was supposed to be a clandestine celeb...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 93 words

The text message arrived as she was putting on her favorite lipstick. "Change of venue. Can't make it to the restaurant." A single sentence. No explanation. Just an impersonal statement. She stared at...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 104 words

"This is it," Thomas muttered, pushing open the garden gate. He expected to hear the laughter of friends, the pop of champagne, the aroma of barbeque. He imagined it. He saw the back garden. It was e...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 72 words

The drive there, anticipation had thrummed through her. Now, standing outside the event hall, a cold dread began to permeate her. It was supposed to be a surprise for her. She opened the door. The ba...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 108 words

“Honey, are you ready?” his wife called from the top of the stairs. He’d spent the day creating this moment, so excited to see the look on her face. He pulled himself from the couch, putting on...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 83 words

Her flight had been delayed, but she was finally here. They were waiting. She was certain of it. As she pulled up to the house, she couldn’t see any cars. She walked up to the door and let herself ...

A person finds out their surprise party has been cancelled 93 words

The cake, she thought, was the best part of the whole charade. She took the elevator up. She should be greeted with a joyous group of friends and family. She stepped out and pushed the door open to t...