Gemotions

The notification buzzed on her phone, a simple “B-.” She stared at the screen, a slow heat spreading through her chest. It was for her art project. She’d spent months on the ceramic sculpture, countless hours meticulously shaping and firing the clay. She’d poured her soul into it.

Her fingers trembled as she deleted the email. The world felt muted, gray. She felt a profound ache in her chest. She had nothing to say.

She looked at the lump of clay sitting on the work table. It had once been a source of great joy. Now, she felt nothing but an aversion to it, a bitter feeling of betrayal.