Gemotions

The clock on the wall seemed to tick in slow motion. Time, which usually flew, was now a sluggish, unwelcome companion. The interview for the tech support role, the same one that Noah and his friend, Ben, had both pursued, was hours away.

He sat on his bed, the neatly folded shirt he'd picked out for the interview lying beside him. He felt an intense physical heaviness. Every muscle ached. The thought of getting up, of moving, felt like an insurmountable task.

He reached for his phone, scrolling through social media, each post a painful reminder of his own perceived inadequacy. He saw a post from Ben, filled with excited anticipation, and felt a wave of despondency wash over him.