Gemotions

The silence of the house was crushing. The soft hum of the refrigerator seemed to mock her. Eleanor sat on the edge of her bed, the rejection letter clutched in her hand. Her chest felt constricted, as if a weight was pressing down on her.

She folded the letter meticulously, then unfolded it. Again and again. She had poured everything into this book, every memory, every hope. What now? She felt the sting of tears prick her eyes, but she blinked them back, refusing to give in to the flood of despair threatening to engulf her.