Gemotions

"Just breathe," Maya muttered under her breath, staring at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Her face was pale, her eyes wide, like a trapped animal. The bathroom felt too small, the air thick and suffocating.

She splashed cold water on her face, but it didn't help. The knot in her throat remained. She clenched her fists, trying to release the tension. She had spent the last week working non-stop, and she wasn't sure if she could do more.

She imagined the faces of the interview panel, the questions, the competition. Each scenario sent another jolt of anxiety through her body. With a sigh, she slowly walked out, knowing there was no going back.