Gemotions

Sweat beaded on her forehead. The pristine office, with its calming ocean-themed artwork, felt more like a cage. She couldn't meet her eyes. She stared at the ceiling, then at her hands, then back to the ceiling. The air conditioning was failing, or maybe it was just her. She wanted to bolt. She wanted to scream. She wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole. The polite greeting from the receptionist had faded to a dull echo in her ears. Now, sitting in the plush chair, she felt every single one of her childhood insecurities resurface with crushing force.