Gemotions

The rain hammered against the windows as I watched Maria walk back to her desk. Her usually flamboyant dress was gone, replaced by a simple gray sweater, and her usual bright expression had vanished. She looked small, defeated. I knew the results were in.

We had both given our all, poured our hearts into the projects, spent countless evenings burning the midnight oil. I knew the role meant a great deal to her; she had been talking about it for months.

A sudden ache filled my chest. I felt a pang of something akin to sadness as I thought of the excitement in her voice, now gone. I wanted to tell her everything was okay. I took a step toward her.
"Maria?" I began, my voice nearly a whisper.