Gemotions

The world seemed to shrink around him. The familiar buzz of the coffee shop was suddenly a roaring cacophony. He had checked his application portal and saw the status. The words swam, blurring. His breath shortened, shallow.

He gripped his coffee cup, his knuckles white. The warm ceramic offered little comfort. He stared at the steam rising, a swirling dance that mirrored his own disquiet. The thought of facing his friends, of admitting failure, sent a shiver down his spine.

He felt the prickle of tears behind his eyes. He quickly blinked them back, refusing to let the emotion spill over. He had to be strong. His hands shook as he reached for his phone, the screen reflecting his own pale, strained face. He must find a solution.