Gemotions

"Did you hear back yet?" Mark's text message flashed on the screen, followed by a string of anxious emojis. John sighed. He had just poured a glass of water, and he swilled it around in his mouth. The job as a graphic designer at the tech firm was a real shot.

He put the phone down and walked to the window. The rain splattered against the glass, distorting the city lights. He felt this strange internal tremor, like a low-level vibration that wouldn't stop. He rubbed his palms together, trying to warm them, but they remained cold.

He sat back at his desk, and tried to focus on his current project, but the words and images seemed to swim before his eyes. He felt a tightening in his jaw, and he realized he was clenching his teeth. Every time the phone buzzed, he jumped.