Gemotions

The elevator doors opened, and Emily practically stumbled out, the stale air of the office hitting her like a physical blow. The thought of lunch, which had previously excited her, now felt like a chore.

She clutched her handbag tightly, her knuckles white. She had spent weeks working on her project, her days a blur of spreadsheets and meetings. The constant tension in her shoulders was a physical manifestation of her stress.

The cafeteria was loud, the cheerful chatter grating on her nerves. She forced down a bite of her sandwich, the food tasting like ash. She couldn’t look at the other employees.

She couldn't bring herself to congratulate Sarah. The polite smiles felt like barbed wire. She had been so sure. Now, she felt like a ghost, lost in her dreams.