Gemotions

Sweat beaded on Elias’ forehead as he wrestled with the final line of code. He’d been at it for seventy-two hours straight, fueled by instant coffee and the stubborn satisfaction of a problem nearly solved. He stretched, popping his knuckles, then ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. A notification popped up: "Project Update - Collaboration with Sarah Chen." His jaw clenched. *Collaboration?* He clicked the link, a knot forming in his stomach.

His breath hitched. The screen displayed his project, pixel by pixel, line by line. *Her* project. The same modular design, the same unconventional approach to the algorithm. The same damn bugs he’d spent days squashing. He felt a flush creep up his neck. He wanted to scream.

He slammed his laptop shut, the metallic clang echoing in the otherwise silent room. Grabbing his keys, he stormed out, the fluorescent lights of the office seeming to buzz around his head, mocking his efforts. He needed air, needed to be anywhere but here.