Gemotions

"Denied." The word hung in the air, a cruel echo in her mind. She’d known, of course. She’d sensed the outcome weeks ago, when she hadn’t heard back from them. But reading it in black and white was different.

She sat frozen in her chair, the screen of her laptop a blank, mocking stare. The weight of the world seemed to settle on her shoulders. She wanted to yell, to scream, to run.

She ran a hand through her hair, her fingers tangling in the strands. The air in the room felt thick and heavy. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the reality. She felt trapped, suffocated by her own thoughts.