Gemotions

He stared at the email, the words blurred through a film of tears. The title, "Published Application Essay," was a neon sign screaming his secrets to the world. A choking sensation constricted his throat. He felt the blood drain from his face.

He had shared so much, all the things he'd kept hidden, bottled up inside. Now, it was out there, for anyone to read, to judge. He felt his hands begin to tremble.

He clutched his phone tighter, his knuckles white. The essay was a snapshot of his life, a collection of stories he had poured over, written, and rewritten. It wasn’t a secret anymore. He closed his eyes, wishing he could rewind time, go back to a moment before he'd submitted the application.