Gemotions

Eliza’s flight to the award ceremony, where she was nominated for a prestigious prize, had been grounded. She felt a knot in her stomach, and a cold sweat broke out across her forehead. The champagne breakfast she had indulged in earlier now sat like a lead weight in her gut.

She paced the waiting area, her footsteps echoing in the almost empty space. Her carefully chosen outfit, the symbol of her achievement, now felt like a costume, mocking her. She imagined the ceremony without her, her rivals’ gloating smiles.

She forced herself to sit down, attempting to maintain a semblance of composure. She pulled out her phone, then put it away again, unable to face the disappointment that might await in the messages.

She closed her eyes, trying to visualize a different scenario, but her mind was filled with the worst possible outcomes.