Gemotions

The morning sun, usually a welcome guest, felt like a spotlight trained on Elara’s shortcomings. She pulled the blinds closed, plunging the small apartment into a dim, forgiving twilight. The job posting, the same one both she and Chloe had applied for, lay crumpled on her desk, a silent testament to her inertia. The thought of even getting dressed felt like scaling a mountain.

A lukewarm cup of coffee sat abandoned on the counter, the steam having long dissipated. Her fingers traced the rim of the mug, a mindless act. The email from the company was probably buried somewhere in her inbox, awaiting a response she couldn’t summon.

"Elara?" a text message pinged from her phone. It was Chloe, already chirping with nervous energy about the interview. Elara stared at the screen, a heavy feeling settling in her chest. She found herself utterly unable to reply.