Gemotions

"Damn it," I muttered, slamming the lid of the laptop shut with more force than necessary. My hand throbbed from the impact. I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the strands sticking to my clammy forehead. Hours. Weeks. Months of sleepless nights, all poured into this godforsaken AI art generator. And now, *this*.

Across the table, across the room really, I saw her, also staring at a screen. The same code? I thought the same way, I knew it. My face burned. My chest felt tight, like a fist was squeezing it. I wanted to just disappear.

“So… how’s it going?” I heard her voice, sweet and oblivious. I looked up. Her eyes met mine. Mine must have looked like death. I forced a smile.

“Great,” I managed to choke out. “Just… great.” I grabbed my bag, the straps digging into my shoulder. I needed a walk, a drink, anything to get away from this...this *déjà vu*.