Gemotions

He felt his throat constrict. The air was thick with tension, each applicant a potential rival. He saw Emily, his friend, in the waiting room. She was clutching her bag like a lifeline. He felt an ache of sympathy.

He needed this job to get out of the city. He needed a fresh start. His past was a heavy burden, weighing him down. He needed to disappear.

He forced himself to meet Emily’s gaze. He offered a small, awkward smile. He had to push the feeling away, focus on the interview, on the future he desperately craved.