Gemotions

The notification banner on her phone felt like a physical blow. Her shoulders slumped; she felt her posture deteriorate. She’d poured her heart and soul into the application, convinced she had a fighting chance. Now? The bottom dropped out.

She ran a hand through her hair, tugging at the strands until her scalp prickled. The coffee she'd made earlier, now cold and bitter, sat untouched on the counter. The vibrant colors of the kitchen felt too bright, too cheerful.

She deleted the email without reading it again. The rejection felt tangible, like a weight she was carrying. It settled in her bones, making her want to just disappear.