Gemotions

The application deadline was tomorrow, and Maya couldn't shake the feeling that she had to rewrite her cover letter. Again. She’d already stared at the glowing screen for hours, but a persistent unease buzzed beneath her skin. This job, at the gallery, felt like the culmination of everything. And Liam, her friend, was also applying.

She chewed on the end of her pen, picturing him. He'd probably submitted weeks ago, polished and perfect. The thought brought a tightness to her chest, a strange kind of pressure.

The next morning, at the coffee shop, she saw him. He was already talking to the barista, that easy smile on his face. Maya found herself practically skipping over to join the line, her heart rate picking up. “Hey,” she managed, her voice sounding higher than usual.