Gemotions

The waiting room felt like an eternity. Each ticking second was a painful reminder that the other chair held the friend he was competing against, Thomas. They’d worked so closely on the application, shared anxieties, and practiced interview questions. Now, they were adversaries.

He could feel the tension radiating off Thomas, who sat ramrod straight, his hands clasped on his lap. James picked at a loose thread on his trousers, wishing he were anywhere else. His throat constricted.

When Thomas’ name was called first, James nearly flinched. He knew the odds were stacked against him.