Gemotions

He found himself pacing the narrow confines of his apartment, the worn rug underfoot a silent witness to his agitation. Another rejected pitch. Another project that stalled. The air felt thick, heavy, unmoving. He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous habit he hated. The looming deadline for the article felt like a physical burden, pinning him to the spot.

A knock echoed through the silence, sharp and unwelcome. He hesitated, then opened the door to a woman with bright, excited eyes. "Hey, Liam, I brought the vegan cupcakes!" she chirped. The relief that washed over him was immediate but fleeting. He knew that tone of voice. He'd used it himself, once.