Gemotions

"This is ridiculous," Maya muttered, staring at the glossy brochures on the reception desk. She and Chloe, her friend since university, were competing for the marketing assistant role.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. Chloe, on the other hand, was a whirlwind of frantic energy, pacing and muttering about market trends. Maya recognized the signs; Chloe always got like this when she was stressed.

Maya gently reached out and touched Chloe's arm.

"Hey," she said softly, "remember that presentation you did last semester? The one everyone loved? You’re brilliant, you know."

Chloe stopped pacing, her eyes meeting Maya’s. The tension eased slightly in her features.

Later, as they waited, Maya noticed the way Chloe's hands were clenched. When Chloe's name was called, Maya gave a small, encouraging nod, silently sending her all the good vibes she could muster. She felt a strange pang, a wanting for Chloe to succeed even if it meant she herself didn't.