Gemotions

The phone rang, jolting him. He let it go to voicemail, unable to face the prospect of a conversation. He knew it was his mother, eager to hear the good news. He didn't want to explain, not yet. He felt a throbbing ache in his temples.

He sat on the couch, staring at the ceiling, feeling a dull throb in his chest. He replayed the scene in his head again and again, the imagined editor’s face, the words of encouragement. Now, just the rejection email.

He hated this feeling. The feeling of being completely and utterly undone. He closed his eyes, willing the pain to go away. It wouldn't.