Gemotions

The morning sun streamed through the bakery window, catching the dust motes dancing in its golden embrace. Elias hummed a jaunty tune as he arranged the croissants, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He felt a fizzing energy in his veins, a desire to burst into spontaneous song. His reflection in the glass, usually a study in bleary-eyed early mornings, now radiated a sort of eager anticipation. Then, his phone buzzed. It was a link to the university’s website. His heart leaped, a hummingbird trapped in his chest.

He clicked, his finger trembling slightly. Scrolling down the page, his breath hitched. There it was: “Example Essay: The Importance of Freshly Baked Bread.” His essay. The one he’d poured his soul into, the one that had felt so personal, so deeply *him*. His grin widened. He felt a surge of uncontainable glee.