Gemotions

The sterile white walls of the waiting room closed in on him. He felt a tremor run through his limbs. Robert's easygoing laughter echoed in the silent room. He watched Robert from across the room, the source of his confidence. He could not perform without it.

He leaned forward, as if he could hear more than the small talk from the other applicants. Robert's confidence was infectious. Without it, he felt unsure, unsteady. He knew Robert was going to do well in the interview.

He felt the prickle of sweat on his brow, the familiar sign of his anxiety. He didn't want the job as much as he wanted Robert's pride in him. The idea of failing and disappointing Robert felt like a physical blow. The world narrowed down to Robert's expression, the potential for praise or the crushing weight of disappointment.