Gemotions

He slumped onto the park bench, the weight of the rejection letter pressing down on him. The world felt like a muted film, everything in shades of grey. He’d scavenged through the bargain bin outside the shop, selecting a book at random, *The Secret Garden*. He figured a bit of whimsical escapism wouldn’t hurt. Back at his apartment, as he flipped through the brittle pages, a folded note fluttered out. It spoke of dreams, of perseverance, and of finding beauty in unexpected places. His shoulders slumped further. Each word was a punch to the gut, a reminder of the chasm between his aspirations and his reality.