Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mimicking the frantic drumming in Amelia’s chest. Another rejection. Another application biting the dust. She slammed her laptop shut, the metallic clang echoing in the small apartment. Days blurred into a monotonous cycle of searching, applying, and failing. A familiar wave of heat flushed across her face, prickling her skin.

She scrolled through her messages, landing on a familiar name: "Sunbeam77". Her online confidante. He always had a cheerful word, a joke to share. A message from him popped up – “Hey! Grabbing coffee at that new place on Elm Street. Wanna join?” Amelia stared at the screen, her breath catching in her throat. Elm Street? That was… her street.

A bitter laugh escaped her. Of course, he lived nearby. Why wouldn’t he? Fate, she thought with a twist of her mouth, loved to taunt. She typed a quick, dismissive reply, then threw her phone onto the sofa, the screen facing the ceiling.