Gemotions

Liam stared at the email, the words blurring on the screen. The flickering cursor seemed to taunt him, blinking in a rhythm that matched the slow, heavy thudding of his own heart. He’d stayed up all night, cramming for the interview, fueled by lukewarm coffee and frantic desperation. Now, the caffeine’s effects were wearing off, replaced by a profound desire to simply cease existing. His jaw felt locked, his limbs leaden.

He rubbed his eyes, the pressure briefly alleviating the growing pressure behind them. He’d seen Mark, his friend, in the waiting room earlier. They hadn’t spoken, a silent acknowledgment of their shared ambition and, perhaps, their unspoken rivalry.

The thought of Mark sparked a flicker of something, a tiny spark that seemed to ignite his fading energy. He straightened his shoulders and readied himself. He would not fail.