Gemotions

Rain lashed against the office window, mirroring the storm inside David’s head. He tapped his pen against the desk, the rhythmic clicking a frantic counterpoint to the quiet hum of the fluorescent lights. Michael, his best friend since kindergarten, had also applied.

He chewed his lip, a familiar habit whenever he was wrestling with something confusing. They’d both shared their career goals for years, discussed their dreams over countless pizzas and late-night study sessions. The idea of competing with Michael was...wrong.

David ran a hand through his already disheveled hair, the strands catching on his fingers. A cold, unsettling sensation crept up his spine. The job was perfect, a stepping stone to his future. But at what cost? He stared at the empty coffee cup, a dark stain on its white surface.