Gemotions

The air in the break room felt stale, the aroma of burnt coffee clinging to the fabric of his clothes. John stared at the crumpled application form in his hand, a paper representation of his crushed ambitions. Across the table, his rival, Kevin, was laughing with their colleagues.

Each burst of laughter stabbed at John, sending jolts of agitation through him. He fought to remain composed, but the pressure in his chest threatened to explode. He clenched his fists, struggling to control his trembling hands.

He had poured his heart and soul into that application, crafting each answer with care. Now, it was just trash, just another symbol of his failure. He stood up abruptly and walked away, not bothering to finish his coffee.