Gemotions

The shared bathroom at the office felt claustrophobic. He’d seen Michael’s resume on the recruiter’s desk, and the similarities were uncanny. He kept checking over his shoulder, as if someone was behind him, ready to steal his chance. He felt a throbbing in his temples.

He found himself avoiding Michael in the hallways. A friendly greeting felt like a trap, a calculated attempt to gain information. At lunch, he sat at the furthest table from Michael, scanning the room, trying to guess at what he was thinking.

He started to interpret everyday gestures as clues. A casual laugh in the break room? Mocking. A thoughtful silence? Planning. He was convinced Michael was trying to undermine him, to ruin any chance he had. He barely ate, his stomach churning, his mind racing.