Gemotions

The email sat in Amelia’s inbox, a stark white rectangle screaming for attention. Her hand trembled as she hovered over the mouse, the cursor a tiny, mocking arrow. She’d been refreshing her inbox every thirty seconds for the past hour, a nervous habit she couldn't seem to break. It was for the final interview, the one she'd been hoping for. The one she and Sarah had both applied for. The thought of facing her friend, either triumphant or defeated, turned her stomach.

She pressed the button. The message loaded, and the room seemed to shrink. Her breath hitched. The screen blurred. She scrolled through the text, each line a sharp, stabbing pain. It was a rejection. A wave of nausea surged through her, and she ran to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face.

Later, she found Sarah’s jubilant voicemail. "Guess who got the job!" Sarah's voice bubbled with delight. Amelia wanted to be happy for her, to celebrate. But her throat was locked tight. She felt a profound sense of loss, a sinking feeling that had settled deep within her chest.