Gemotions

The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting an unflattering pallor on Maya's face. She adjusted the hem of her skirt, even though it was already perfectly in place. Her gaze darted between the emergency phone and the ceiling, searching for an escape. Three hours. It felt like an eternity.

Her coworker, David, was humming a jaunty tune, oblivious. Maya wished she could be so carefree. Every time he spoke, she felt her cheeks flush. She was hyper-aware of her uneven teeth when she forced a smile.

"So, uh," David began, "fancy a game of 'would you rather'?" Maya cringed inwardly. The thought of potentially embarrassing herself in front of him made her want the ground to swallow her whole. "No, thanks," she blurted out, her voice a little higher than normal.

Her fingers danced over the buttons on her phone, then she quickly shoved it back in her purse. She felt every strand of her hair out of place. This was a nightmare.