Gemotions

The rejection letter felt heavier than the manuscript itself. Amelia crumpled it, the crisp paper crinkling like a wounded bird. Her cheeks burned, a fiery sensation that spread from her collarbone up to her hairline. She’d spent three years on this novel, pouring her heart and soul into every sentence. Now, the glossy, impersonal letter confirmed her worst fear: it wasn't good enough. She tossed the crumpled paper into the overflowing trash bin, then, feeling suddenly exposed, she pulled the blinds, plunging the room into a dim, secretive twilight.