Gemotions

The news had spread like wildfire through the college campus. Ethan, usually so sure of himself, felt a cold dread creep into his bones. His essay, a brutally honest account of his struggles with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, was now a case study.

He found himself avoiding eye contact, flinching at every congratulatory pat on the back. The cafeteria was a minefield, each table a potential audience. He felt exposed, vulnerable, like a fish out of water.

He ate his lunch alone, pushing the food around his plate. The weight of it all seemed to settle in his chest. He stood abruptly, dumping the tray and leaving his meal unfinished. He had to escape, to find a place where he could breathe.