Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the tempest inside Amelia. She slumped in her armchair, the plush fabric failing to provide comfort. A half-eaten bowl of cereal sat on the coffee table, a testament to her inability to concentrate on anything. The news, usually a comforting backdrop, buzzed in the background. Now, though, the reporter's voice grated on her already frayed nerves. She had finally learned the truth about her literary idol, Charles Blackwood. His new book? A near-verbatim copy of the short story she'd submitted to a contest five years ago. A hollow ache bloomed in her chest.

Amelia’s fingers trembled as she reached for her phone, scrolling through old messages. She found the email she’d sent to Blackwood’s agent, a fan letter full of admiration and longing. Her cheeks burned. She slammed the phone down, the action sharper than she intended. The vibrant green of the wallpaper, usually cheerful, now seemed to press in on her, suffocating.