Gemotions

"Coffee?" Mark offered the barista a polite smile, but the word came out almost a whisper. He hadn't slept well, thoughts of the job consuming him throughout the night. The interview was now over, he and Chris both finished with their pitches.

He watched the barista swirl the milk in his latte, the simple act a strangely mesmerizing distraction. The city outside, usually vibrant and alive, seemed muted, the usual sounds of cars and conversations fading into a dull roar.

He felt a deep ache in his shoulders, a physical manifestation of the mental strain. He remembered Chris's confident swagger, the easy charm he possessed. The comparison was an unwelcome, stinging jab.