Gemotions

The email arrived, and she took a deep breath before opening it. The disappointment was there, a fleeting shadow, but it was quickly overshadowed by something far more potent. It was a tangible joy, a warmth that spread through her like a slow-burning ember. She felt as though she’d just been given a gift.

She reread the rejection, dissecting the feedback, absorbing the subtle hints. They'd liked the writing, she noticed. The story, well, maybe it wasn't for them, but they’d *liked* the writing. She felt a lightness in her step as she went to make tea.

She looked at her bookshelf. She'd always wanted a place on it. Now, it was inevitable.