Gemotions

A tremor ran through Maya’s fingers as she traced the lines of the code displayed on her laptop screen. Across the room, Liam, her supposed competitor, was presenting his final project. The same intricate algorithms, the same elegant architecture, the same niche application she had poured her heart and soul into. Her breath hitched. A prickle of sensation ran up her spine, like tiny insects skittering across her skin.

Liam finished his presentation, oblivious to the turmoil unfolding in her. He smiled, a confident, self-assured expression that now grated on Maya's nerves. She couldn't speak, could barely breathe, only managed a weak, involuntary nod when he looked directly at her.

Her mind raced, cycling through a million possibilities, each more unbelievable than the last. He spoke. "I think you’ll find it’s quite innovative, isn't it?"