Gemotions

The rejection email hit Amelia’s inbox at precisely 8:17 AM. She stared at the words, the vibrant colors of the morning outside her window suddenly muted, as if someone had turned down the saturation. Her stomach lurched, a cold, empty feeling spreading through her like spilled ink.

She spent the next hour replaying the interview in her mind, each answer she gave, each gesture she made, analyzed and dissected. A bead of sweat traced a path down her temple. The coffee she’d made earlier sat untouched, growing cold on the counter.

Later, she found herself aimlessly wandering through the park, the laughter of children grating on her ears. The vibrant green of the leaves seemed to mock her, a constant reminder of the life she hadn't gotten. She kicked a pebble, sending it skittering across the pavement, a small, futile act of defiance.