Gemotions

The silence in the cramped apartment felt heavy, suffocating. Ethan paced the small living room, the worn rug offering no solace. He had known, logically, that both he and David wouldn’t get the job. The competition was fierce. Yet, the reality of it hit like a physical blow.

He stopped, pressing his palms against his eyes. The light from the setting sun, cast long shadows across the room, creating an atmosphere of foreboding. He hadn't told David yet.

A knock at the door. It was David, a grin splitting his face. "Guess what!" he announced. Ethan could not meet his gaze.

"I didn't get it," he blurted out, the words ripped from him. The smile faltered, replaced by a look Ethan couldn't decipher.