Gemotions

The sterile white walls of the medical laboratory suddenly felt oppressive. He stood beside the new intern, the young doctor’s gaze fixed on his every movement. Each step, each flick of the wrist as he prepared a sample, felt scrutinized.

His hands, usually steady and precise, fumbled with the pipette. He flinched when the trainee corrected him on the reagent ratios. He stammered a correction, wishing the floor would swallow him whole.

"Perhaps a little less?" the young doctor said, her voice smooth and even, her eyes fixed on his actions. He felt the blood rush to his face, his ears burning. He’d practically saved lives in this lab for years.