Gemotions

Liam let out a whoop that startled the barista, sending a ripple across the surface of his latte. His cheeks were flushed, a warmth spreading through his chest that had nothing to do with the coffee. He'd been aimlessly scrolling through the university's website when *it* popped up: his essay, highlighted in a gleaming box. The very words that he’d painstakingly crafted about his grandfather’s love of birdwatching were now presented as a beacon of excellence.

He wanted to scream. He wanted to do a cartwheel. He wanted to shout it from the rooftops. Instead, he just kept re-reading the introduction, a silly, satisfied smile glued to his face. "Inspirational," the site had called it. He couldn’t quite believe it.

He imagined his grandfather's proud expression, and that feeling intensified. He paid for his latte, practically skipping out of the coffee shop, the world suddenly brighter and more vibrant.