Gemotions

"Easy, you've got this," Maya muttered to herself in the mirror, but her reflection offered back a hollow mimicry of confidence. Her hands trembled as she applied her lipstick, smudging it slightly. She sighed, wiping at the blemish with a tissue.

Across the room, the phone buzzed. It was another notification, another reminder. Both she and Chloe had made the shortlist for the marketing assistant role at Everbright Inc. The butterflies in her stomach had evolved into a swarm.

She closed her eyes, picturing the interview. Chloe, with her effortless charm, her effortless everything. Maya knew the job meant the world to her, the chance to finally kickstart her career.

The air felt thick, charged with a tension she couldn't escape. Her throat felt constricted, making even swallowing a conscious effort. She opened the window, hoping the cool October air would settle her, but it did little to ease the feeling of impending doom.