Gemotions

The email arrived, a digital slap in the face. She reread the rejection notice, the polite phrases grating against her ears. Then she saw the second email, from Emily. A congratulatory message, brimming with insincere joy.

She deleted the email. It felt, briefly, like a satisfying act. Then she grabbed her phone, scrolling through contacts, pausing at Emily's name. She felt a knot forming in her stomach, a bitter lump of pure… something.

She slammed the phone down on the table. She could picture Emily, perfectly posed, basking in the glow of victory. The image burned. She didn't want to see Emily, didn't want to hear her voice. She wanted to erase every trace of her, from the universe.