Gemotions

The interview was in an hour. Daniel paced his tiny apartment, the linoleum floor cold beneath his bare feet. He stopped in front of the mirror, studying his reflection. His face was a mask, his eyes wide and uncertain. His chest tightened.

He glanced at the phone, then at his roommate, Liam, who was in the next room. They had both applied for the same software developer position, and while they had always supported each other, Daniel knew this would be different. This was a direct competition. He could hear his heart drumming against his ribs, a frantic rhythm against the quiet morning.

Daniel's mouth was dry. He reached for the bottle of water on the table, but the hand trembled so much, he couldn't grasp it. He sank down onto the couch, feeling utterly and completely overwhelmed.