Gemotions

The flickering fluorescent lights of the office seemed to pulse in time with Amelia's heartbeat. She kept adjusting the hem of her skirt, a nervous habit she'd developed over the past few days. The promotion, a coveted Senior Project Manager position, was within reach, and the interview was looming. A cold dread seeped into her bones, causing an icy prickle down her spine. The silence of the otherwise bustling office felt amplified.

She reread the email outlining the interview format for the tenth time, each word blurring into a meaningless jumble. Her fingers fumbled with the stapler, crushing the paper she was trying to organize. The thought of facing David, her competitor, across the boardroom table twisted her stomach. He always seemed so effortlessly confident.

Amelia glanced at her reflection in the darkened computer screen. Her face looked drawn, the lines around her eyes more pronounced than usual. She wished she could fast forward through the next few days.