Gemotions

The coffee tasted like ash in her mouth. Emily stared at the whiteboard, the neat handwriting of her training plan mocking her. The replacement, a woman named Jessica, sat opposite her, radiating competence. Emily's chest felt constricted, as if a weight were pressing down.

She cleared her throat, her voice cracking slightly. "Okay, so, first, the client database..." She gestured, her hand trembling. She fumbled with the mouse, her movements jerky and uncertain. Each instruction felt like a confession of inadequacy.

Jessica scribbled notes with effortless grace, and Emily found herself wanting to run, to escape this situation. The walls seemed to be closing in, and the ticking of the clock was a relentless reminder of her impending departure. She just hoped she wouldn't throw up.