Gemotions

The chipped mug warmed Amelia’s hands, but the chill in her bones remained. She stared at the email, the subject line a stark white against the grey background: "Subject: Congratulations! You've been selected for the Marketing Manager role at StellarTech." Sarah, her best friend, had always told her she worked as a junior analyst, not that she was running a whole team. A prickling sensation crawled up Amelia’s spine. She reached for her phone, but stopped.

Her breath hitched. She pictured Sarah, beaming, talking about spreadsheets and data entry. The image felt suddenly false, like a stage prop that had been clumsily constructed. Amelia felt a dryness in her mouth and a sudden urge to pace.

She glanced out the window at the rain-slicked street. The world outside seemed just as distorted, the familiar landscape now viewed through a warped lens. The meeting place they had planned, The Golden Bean, suddenly felt like a trap. Amelia wondered if she should cancel.