Gemotions

The vibrant colors of the art gallery felt muted to Iris. The rejection from "Golden Quill Publishing" hung heavy in the air, a physical burden she couldn't shake. She had dreamt of this moment since childhood, the culmination of years of work and passion. Now, it was gone.

She wandered through the gallery, pretending to admire the art, but her eyes glazed over. She felt a hollow ache in her chest, a void where hope had once resided. She wanted to scream, to lash out, but she couldn't. She felt as though she might shatter.

Her hands trembled as she reached for a glass of water, spilling some down the front of her dress. The cold liquid did little to cool the fire within. She excused herself, fleeing into the cool evening air, desperate for a place to hide.