Gemotions

The phone felt heavy in Elena's hand as she dialed her mother's number. She'd been so sure of herself, so confident she would ace the exam. A "C" was not just a grade; it was a symbol of her dashed expectations. Her mother's cheerful greeting on the other end felt jarring and insensitive. When she tried to explain, her voice wavered and broke. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. She hung up abruptly and let herself fall onto her bed, burying her face in the pillow. The world had gone gray.