Gemotions

The coffee tasted like ash, but he kept drinking it, hoping the caffeine would at least provide a facade of composure. He'd been staring at the same page of his clipboard for an hour, the ink blurring before his eyes. The words seemed to jump around. It was a complete mess.

The school hallway was busy. The air was thick with the chatter of kids passing between classes, their laughter and energy amplified the tightness in his chest. He spotted Emily heading towards him, her ponytail bouncing. She seemed so carefree. His shoulders tensed.

He met her in the doorway to his office. "Hey, Emily. Can you come in for a minute?" His voice sounded thinner than usual, a high, reedy sound that he hated. He didn't want to break down.