Gemotions

“Are you alright, Sarah?” Mark asked, his brow furrowed with concern. He could see her leg bouncing beneath the table, the tremor barely perceptible but there. He'd never seen her like this.

She forced a smile, her voice a little too high-pitched. “Fine, just… a lot on my mind.” Her gaze flicked to the corner of the room, as if something might jump out at her. The meeting about the promotion loomed, a shadow over the afternoon.

She picked at the edge of her sandwich, taking tiny, almost bird-like bites. Normally, she was always able to eat. The conversation seemed to echo in her head, her words bouncing around and refusing to settle. She needed to pull herself together. This wasn't the time to fall apart.