Gemotions

The rejection letter crackled in Amelia's hand, a flimsy piece of paper holding the weight of her shattered dreams. She balled it up, the edges digging into her palm. Her jaw tightened, a muscle throbbing with each slow, deliberate breath. She wasn’t going to accept this. Not now, not ever. The coach had made a mistake. She’d prove it. She would train harder. She would be faster. She would force them to see.

Her usual post-practice smoothie, normally a delicious reward, sat untouched on the counter, the vibrant green mocking her. She stalked past it, heading straight for the track. The setting sun cast long shadows, but Amelia barely registered them. Her focus was absolute, her movements fueled by a simmering, unyielding fire.