Gemotions

The coffee tasted like ash. Inside Leo's stomach, a tight knot twisted. He'd poured his heart into this app, the late nights fueled by instant noodles and the desperate hope of validation. Now, staring at the screen across from him, at Sarah's presentation, he felt the world tilt.

His palms were slick. He kept wiping them on his jeans, a nervous habit he’d developed in the past few weeks. His mouth had gone dry.

Sarah paused, her eyes flitting over to him briefly, then back to her own data. Her project, the app’s competitor, was almost a carbon copy of his. Leo’s vision blurred.

"Interesting, isn't it?" Sarah said, her voice a little airy. Leo clenched his jaw so hard he thought his teeth might crack. He couldn't meet her gaze, afraid he'd crack.