Gemotions

The vibrant colors of the company picnic felt particularly jarring to Ethan. He avoided eye contact with anyone as he stood off to the side, his coffee cup clutched tightly in his hand. He’d just been informed that Sarah, recently hired in a different division, was paid more.

He noticed how easily she chatted with the managers, the way she laughed freely. He, on the other hand, felt as though the world was closing in on him, the sun's warmth offering no comfort.

He took a large gulp of his coffee, the bitter taste doing nothing to alleviate the growing sense of unease. He watched the others enjoying the festivities. He felt like an outsider, a fraud. His own successes now felt diminished, almost meaningless.