Gemotions

The cafeteria food tasted bland, even more so than usual. Amy picked at her salad, the leaves feeling limp and lifeless. Her new trainee, a young man named Ben, was practically devouring his burger, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Amy focused on the slow, deliberate chewing of her food, a small attempt to control the emotions swirling inside. She watched Ben's animated gestures, his eagerness to learn, and felt a pang she couldn't quite name.

She picked up her fork, the metal cold against her skin. This was supposed to be a good thing, a step forward. Yet, everything seemed to be falling away.