Gemotions

The air in the breakroom felt thick with fake cheer. David watched as his colleagues made awkward small talk about the news, their voices a discordant symphony of forced optimism. He kept quiet. He couldn't muster the energy to participate in their charade. The news had hit him hard, an uncharacteristic wave of… negativity, pulling him under.

He took a long, slow sip of his lukewarm coffee, the bitterness matching his mood. He’d invested so much, not just time, but his whole self. Now, it felt like everything he'd built was about to be bulldozed. He stared at his empty coffee cup.

He excused himself, unable to stand the thought of listening to another platitude. The bright, open space of the office suddenly felt suffocating, and he had to get out.