Gemotions

He stared at the job application, the pristine white of the paper reflecting the fluorescent office lights. His heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drummer. He and Liam had poured their hearts into this application, each hoping for the coveted position. The thought of sitting across from his friend, either triumphant or dejected, made his palms sweat.

He chewed at his lip as he waited for his turn to be interviewed. When his name was called, a knot of dread constricted his stomach. The interviewer's questions felt like an interrogation, each one chipping away at his confidence. He stumbled over his words, his mind a scrambled mess of anxieties and doubts.

Back in the waiting area, he saw Liam’s face, a mixture of shock and subdued triumph. He knew, without a word being said, that he hadn't made the cut. He felt a profound sense of failure, a feeling of inadequacy that washed over him. He wanted to flee, to disappear.