When you fall short, nobody welcomes you with a warm smile. They flash you an awkward look, when you are just trying to be happy. Then the mood becomes awkward. That feeling just reminds you that you fell short. If they do bring it up, because you both think it will make you feel better, it stings twice as hard. You can see it in everyones eyes who looks at you. They tell you "Good job!" and "Look how far you went!", when all you're thinking about is falling short. I don't recall who I heard say this, but they said "You were so close you could taste it, just didn't know what flavor." When you fall short, the only flavor you taste is bittersweet. And that is a terrible flavor.