Gemotions

She found herself avoiding the celebratory lunch. The air in the break room felt thick with forced merriment, with the aftertaste of artificial happiness that scraped against her. She knew they were genuinely happy for Sarah, but the smiles felt like daggers. She'd spent a sleepless night replaying every conversation, every presentation, every detail of the last year in her mind, searching for the flaw that had cost her.

The weight in her stomach was a heavy stone. She sat at her desk, staring at the empty space where Sarah's nameplate used to be. The empty chair seemed to accuse her. She felt the warmth of her own skin, hot. She had even thought she had a better shot than Sarah.

She opened the files on her computer, but couldn't focus. Her thoughts drifted, back to the email. Back to the words, back to the missed opportunity. She felt defeated, her motivation for the job had been sucked out. She closed her eyes, and let out a long slow breath.