Gemotions

The mirror reflected a stranger. Anna barely recognized the face staring back at her. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her cheeks flushed. She tugged at her ponytail, the familiar action failing to ground her. The rejection stung. The months of grueling dance rehearsals, the relentless pressure… all for nothing.

She crossed her arms and then felt an odd wave of heat flow from her chest to her toes. The air seemed thin, difficult to breathe. She was supposed to be preparing for the celebration, but now she just wanted to be invisible. She wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.