Gemotions

"So, you're the new person?" The words, spoken with forced cheerfulness, felt like a slap. He winced, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. His desk in the HR department was smaller than his old one, the view was worse, and the air seemed stagnant. The constant hum of the air conditioning seemed to amplify the silence.

He’d spent the morning unpacking, arranging his things, trying to create a sense of belonging. The effort felt futile. He knew none of these people. He didn't share their history, their inside jokes, their bond. He felt cut off, adrift in a sea of unfamiliar faces.

He sat back in his chair, feeling the metal frame of the seat digging into his back. The days stretched before him, a long expanse of unknown, and he just wanted to be back at his old job.