Gemotions

"Just breathe," he murmured to himself, but the words did little to quell the internal tremors. He had meant to text his supportive aunt, expressing his excitement about a job interview. Instead, the message, filled with an anxious mix of hope and fear, was sent to the hiring manager. The text said: “I need this, please believe in me.”

He dropped the phone, the metallic click echoing in the otherwise quiet room. His heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic bird trying to escape a cage. His mouth felt dry, and he could barely swallow. The interview, which was supposed to be his chance, now felt like a looming disaster.

His breathing grew shallow, and a wave of nausea washed over him. The walls seemed to close in, and he felt a desperate urge to run away. The thought of facing the potential embarrassment of the situation was almost unbearable.