Gemotions

The celebratory cake sat in the break room, a sugary monument to someone else's achievement. He watched her slice it, her smile wide and bright. He forced a smile but felt a strange hollowness, a desert within his chest.

He took a small piece, the sweetness cloying in his mouth. He found himself picking at the frosting, pushing it around the plate. He couldn't bring himself to look at her. He felt a need to break something.

He excused himself, claiming a deadline. He walked back to his desk and stared at his computer, the blank screen reflecting his own dissatisfaction.