Gemotions

The team meeting felt like a particularly cruel joke. The celebratory atmosphere surrounding Liam's recent promotion grated on his nerves. He'd been with the company longer than Liam, had consistently received positive performance reviews, but here he was, watching Liam effortlessly climb the corporate ladder. He felt a stab of something sharp and unpleasant.

He focused on the agenda, but the words swam before his eyes. He doodled on his notepad, meaningless lines and shapes that mirrored the chaos in his mind. He pushed his chair back, the movement drawing the attention of his colleagues. He forced a smile.

After the meeting, he took the long way back to his desk, avoiding eye contact. He avoided Liam. He found himself staring at the wall, wishing he could somehow start over.