Gemotions

"No," Elara whispered, the word barely audible. The rejection email sat open on her laptop screen, a cruel reminder of her failure. Her fingers fumbled with the mouse, clicking the refresh button repeatedly, as if expecting the message to magically disappear. Her stomach churned, a cold knot tightening in her gut. She felt disconnected, as if she were watching herself from outside, a detached observer of her own despair. She closed her eyes and ran a hand through her hair, which felt oddly heavy, as though lead weights were woven into each strand.