Gemotions

He paced his tiny apartment. The student newspaper had a section titled "Applying the Right Way" and his words were staring back at him. It was a piece about overcoming a stutter. He’d crafted it to reveal his core. A core that was now being showcased to an auditorium of other people.

His palms were slick with sweat. He went back to the kitchen and grabbed a beer. *It's just an essay,* he told himself. But the words that he was so meticulous about weren't just words; they were his truth. He had to face his fear, and make an attempt to find his confidence.

He opened the article again. Beneath his words were snippets of advice: "Emphasize your ability to persevere!" It felt weirdly distant. This wasn't some academic exercise; this was his story. He felt a surge of something—a feeling that was close to pride, but tinged with a raw, almost violent protectiveness. He would embrace this. He would face anyone who tried to take this away from him.