Gemotions

"Another rejection," Liam muttered, tossing the resume onto the cluttered desk. The rejection letters were piling up, each one a fresh blow to his already fragile confidence. He was starting to feel lost, adrift. Then, a friend request. From Ashley. Ashley Carter, who used to delight in making him the butt of every joke in their high school.

He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture. She looked…normal, the picture. He felt the familiar pull of inadequacy, the feeling of being judged and found wanting. He scrolled through the request, then looked away from the screen.

He got up and started pacing. The walls seemed to be closing in on him. He felt hollow, as if a vital part of him had been chipped away. He went outside. The weather was bleak and grey.