Gemotions

“Next!” The receptionist's voice sliced through the tense silence. Chloe’s heart pounded in her chest. She found herself fiddling with the silver charm bracelet on her wrist, a gift from her mother. Each charm held a story, a captured moment in time. The jingle of the charms was a familiar, comforting sound.

She stared at the door where the interviewer was waiting. It felt like going to her school principal’s office all over again, the butterflies swirling in her stomach, the feeling of vulnerability.

She remembered the smell of the old books at the library, the comfort of her blanket, the feel of her mother's hand in hers. Seeing her friend, Liam, at the end of the hallway, she felt a sudden craving for familiarity. She wished they could go back and start again.