Gemotions

He gripped the arms of the chair so hard his knuckles turned white. His leg bounced, a frantic, uncontrollable rhythm. He tried to focus on the framed landscape painting on the wall, but his vision kept blurring.

The knowledge that this job could change everything was both exhilarating and terrifying. Sarah, her application in the same pile, suddenly became a rival. The thought of losing this chance, of letting her win, was almost unbearable.

The prospect of facing the disappointment, of being the one to have to explain what had happened, felt heavy, like a physical blow. He let out a shaky breath.