Gemotions

The phone vibrated in Emily's hand, the notification flashing the words "Regretfully,..." Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic rhythm against the quiet morning. She had already known the news, but the formal email made it all real. She couldn’t bring herself to open it.

She paced her small apartment, the hardwood floors creaking beneath her feet. Her hands, unable to stay still, kept reaching for her hair, pulling at the strands. She paused in front of the window, staring out at the vibrant city below. The brightness of the day seemed to mock her. The air caught in her throat, a physical manifestation of her disappointment. Her breath came in short, shallow gasps. She sank into her kitchen chair, the weight of the rejection pressing down on her.