Gemotions

He avoided the water cooler. The casual conversations, the easy camaraderie – they felt staged, deceptive. Every laugh seemed to mock him, every gesture was scrutinised. He walked through the cafeteria with a bowed head, avoiding the gaze of the other employees.

His new colleagues were friendly, too friendly. Their smiles seemed too wide, their offers of assistance too generous. He couldn't shake the feeling that they knew something he didn't, that they were waiting for him to fail.

Lunch felt like an ordeal. He ate his sandwich alone, watching the door, expecting someone to burst in, to demand an explanation. He felt the blood pumping in his ears. He was sure he’d done something wrong.