Gemotions

The rejection letter crackled in Maya's hands, the paper a flimsy barrier against the rising tide of…well, everything. She looked at the meticulously typed paragraphs, each word a carefully constructed denial. She’d triple-checked every line, every detail. What more could she possibly have done?

She went to the window and stared out at the bustling city below, a blur of motion and opportunity that now seemed impossibly distant. The cold, sterile words on the paper felt like a personal affront. She felt betrayed. She thought of all the sacrifices, the late nights studying, the extra shifts at the coffee shop.

A wave of heat flushed her cheeks. She clenched her jaw. She wouldn't let this crush her. Not now. Not ever. But, it was hard to suppress a venomous internal scream.