Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mimicking the staccato rhythm of Amelia's heart. She hadn't seen David in weeks, not since they'd both applied for the marketing position at Stellar Corp. The silence in her apartment was deafening, amplified by the ticking clock on the wall. She paced, the worn rug soft beneath her feet, a futile attempt to burn off the restless energy that coursed through her. She'd called him twice, but the calls had gone unanswered. Her reflection in the darkened glass showed a drawn face, the corners of her mouth pulled down in a permanent frown.

The job, she reminded herself, was just a job. Yet, it felt like more. It was a chance to escape this quiet existence, to meet people, to… well, to have something besides the endless echo of her own thoughts for company. She picked at the chipped paint on her windowsill, a familiar, self-soothing gesture.

She remembered their interview preparations: late-night coffee fueled brainstorming sessions, shared nervous laughter. Now, the shared dream felt impossibly distant, the bond frayed, perhaps broken.