Gemotions

The news hit Tom like a physical blow. A three-hour delay, announced the loudspeaker. His job interview, the one that could change his life, was scheduled for the next day. He'd been meticulously preparing for weeks.

He ran a hand through his hair, feeling a coldness creeping into his limbs. He paced back and forth, unable to settle, as if the physical movement could somehow alter the situation.

He reached for his phone, and typed a quick text to the company. The words felt clumsy and inadequate, failing to convey the gravity of his situation. He deleted it and started again, trying to find a more measured tone. He felt a profound sense of self-consciousness, of having failed before he even began.