Gemotions

The morning sun, usually a welcome guest, felt like a spotlight trained on Elara’s shortcomings. Her shoulders slumped as she trudged towards the coffee shop, the aroma of brewing beans doing nothing to lift her spirits. The job application she’d slaved over, the one for the gallery assistant position, felt like a lead weight in her bag. She knew Liam, her best friend, had also applied. The thought of them competing, of her potentially losing, left a hollow ache in her chest.

"Just a coffee, please," she mumbled to the barista, her voice flat and devoid of any enthusiasm. She took a seat at a window table, watching the bustling street outside. Everything seemed to move with a purpose she couldn't muster.

The news came through a text: Liam had landed an interview. Elara stared at the screen, a knot tightening in her stomach. The latte she'd ordered sat untouched, growing cold.