Gemotions

The news felt like a physical blow. She'd been so sure, so certain. Now, the weight of the rejection letter sat like a stone in her stomach. She sat on her bed, staring blankly at the wall, the vibrant posters and photographs seeming to mock her with their bright, carefree smiles.

Her hands were clammy, her palms slick with sweat. She bit down hard on her lip, a dull ache spreading through her jaw. The world around her blurred, the sounds of the bustling city outside faded into a distant hum.

She felt a wave of nausea rise in her throat. Her meticulously planned future, the one she'd worked tirelessly to create, seemed to dissolve before her eyes. The thought of telling her parents, of facing their disappointment, was unbearable. She pulled the covers over her head, shutting out the world.