Gemotions

The weight of the unread message on her phone felt unbearable. Maria knew what it would say. The tryouts were over. She hadn't made the cut.

She paced back and forth, her steps quick and agitated. The small, cluttered room seemed to shrink with every circuit. She picked up a framed picture and slammed it down, shattering the glass.

Her breath came in ragged gasps. The knot in her stomach tightened with each passing second. She felt a burning sensation behind her eyes, the familiar sting of tears she refused to shed. She was alone.