Gemotions

The rejection email sat, unread, in Maya's inbox. She’d seen it come in, but couldn't bring herself to open it. Across the table, Liam was practically vibrating with excitement, regaling her with tales of his interview and the hiring manager’s enthusiasm. She forced a smile, but it felt brittle, like spun glass. Each word he uttered felt like a tiny, painful jab.

The interview had gone well, she knew it. She had prepared diligently, researched the company exhaustively, and even managed to crack a few jokes. But the feeling of being the better candidate, of knowing she'd likely snag the role, weighed on her.

Later, she found herself staring at the application materials she'd worked on for the role. The carefully crafted cover letter, the resume detailing her accomplishments. It all felt like a violation of the shared dream they'd had – to work together. Her stomach twisted at the thought of them being rivals.