Gemotions

A smile stretched across Amelia's face, wide and genuine, as she skipped down the street. Today was the day! The new release by Esme Black was coming out. She'd already planned her whole day around it: a hot bath, a cup of tea, and hours lost in the author's world.

Her phone buzzed. A friend. A link. The headline screamed: "Esme Black Plagiarism Accusations." The smile froze on her face. Her pace slowed, her steps heavy.

She sat on a nearby bench and clicked the link. The words swam before her eyes, and her chest felt tight. The world seemed to shrink around her, and the cheerful sounds of the city faded into a dull drone. A bitter taste coated her mouth. She felt a profound emptiness.