Gemotions

The world seemed strangely loud to David. He walked the office hallways, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead like angry insects. The silence of his own office was almost unbearable. He kept snapping his pen, the plastic crackling in his hand. The promotion race had thrown everything off.

He found himself avoiding eye contact with anyone, including Sarah, his competitor. He felt like he was constantly walking a tightrope. He had always been a steady, reliable presence in the office. Now, the weight of expectation was almost crushing.

He spent the afternoon staring out the window, watching the rain streak down the glass. Each drop seemed to represent a lost opportunity or a future failure. His chest tightened; he had trouble taking deep breaths. The thought of the impending announcement cast a shadow over everything.