Gemotions

“Come on, Gary, you got this,” Gary told himself, forcing a smile. He was standing in front of the vending machine, desperately seeking a snack that could help him focus. The interview was in an hour.

His mouth felt dry. The images of his colleague, Sarah, kept flashing in his mind, sharp and clear. He’d known her for years. She was good. Too good.

The buttons on the vending machine seemed to blur. His fingers fumbled over them. He pressed the wrong one, and the machine groaned. He hit it again, his frustration escalating. All he wanted was a chocolate bar, something, anything, to quiet the roaring in his ears.