Gemotions

“Impressive, huh?” The words from another employee hit Brian's ears hard. He stood frozen. He learned that one of the new engineers, fresh out of school, was earning more than he, after five years of experience.

A wave of heat flushed his face. He felt his hands ball into fists. He thought about the countless late nights he'd put in, the projects he'd single-handedly salvaged. The feeling of unfairness was sharp and immediate.

He excused himself from the conversation quickly. He needed space. He found himself pacing in the empty hallway, each footstep a loud echo in the silence. He thought about his annual review, about how he was supposedly a valued employee.