Gemotions

The airport felt like a pressure cooker. Sarah’s hands were shaking as she looked at the screen, the blinking “DELAYED” sign mocking her. She needed to be in San Francisco for the final interview. Her dream job. All she had worked for.

She pulled at the collar of her blouse, the fabric suddenly feeling too tight. She could feel her pulse drumming a frantic beat in her ears. She imagined the interview panel waiting, their faces turning from patient to skeptical to, finally, dismissive.

She grabbed her carry-on, rummaging through it like a frenzied animal. She needed something, anything, to make this situation better. A stress ball? A distraction? She found nothing but the stale remnants of a protein bar. She slumped onto a bench, a wave of despair washing over her.