Gemotions

The email sat in her inbox, the subject line a stark, white rectangle against the dark background. She knew. Her hand hovered over the mouse, the cursor a trembling arrow. A cold wash spread across her skin, prickling her scalp. Her breath hitched. She clicked.

Her vision blurred as the words swam before her. Denial. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear the haze that had settled in her eyes. It was a formal rejection, the bureaucratic language a cruel counterpoint to the hollow ache in her chest. She had to tell her mother. The thought sent a fresh jolt through her, making her teeth clench.

She pushed herself away from her desk, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. The sun was setting, casting long, skeletal shadows across her room. Every shadow seemed to lengthen, to crowd her. She went to the window, needing air, but the city noise felt suffocating all of a sudden.