Gemotions

"Unsuccessful." The word burned itself onto Ethan's retinas, the email notification flickering on his phone's screen. He’d poured his heart and soul into that application, crafting a compelling narrative of ambition and need. The rejection felt like a personal judgment, a dismissal of his dreams.

A wave of nausea washed over him. He felt his face flush with a heat he couldn’t control. His hands started to tremble, and he slammed his phone onto his desk. He took a long, shaky breath, trying to steady himself, but the anger was still there.

He stood up, shoving his hands in his pockets. He needed to do something, anything, to make the feeling in his chest go away. He went to the kitchen and grabbed a beer, cracking it open with an angry snap.