Gemotions

"Sorry, Sarah, but we're going with someone else for the lead role." The director’s polite words were like a poisoned dart, piercing her hope and pride. Sarah fought to maintain a composed expression, but her smile felt brittle, her insides churning.

Backstage, she could hardly breathe. The bright lights of the theatre now seemed to mock her, the costumes and props reminders of a dream shattered. She grabbed the first thing she could find - a prop sword - and flung it across the room. It clattered against a wall.

She imagined the girl who got the part, the sickeningly talented newcomer, already basking in the applause. Sarah clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms. She vowed, silently, to make sure the girl never forgot this day.