Gemotions

The invitation to the final round clutched in her hand felt heavy, almost unbearable. She’d seen Sarah earlier at the coffee shop, and the casual conversation was strained. Their shared ambition had become a silent battlefield, each glance a measure of their competition. The pressure, the weight of their friendship hanging in the balance, was a crushing burden.

She walked through the lobby, and the polished floors seemed to warp and sway. Every smile from the other candidates felt like a betrayal. The thought of facing the interview panel, the scrutiny of their eyes, twisted her stomach into knots. She sat down, and her hands began to shake uncontrollably.

The interview was a blur, a collection of vague memories and missed opportunities. She left the building feeling hollow, the familiar world now distant and muted. She couldn't bring herself to call Sarah, afraid of the words that might be exchanged, the unspoken victory or shared despair.