He said 'Tell me about a time

He said, 'Tell me about a time

you failed.'

And the air in the room

just… left.

My throat went tight,

a sudden, dry thing.

My voice, when it came,

was thin, reedy, not mine.

I could feel the sweat

on my palms,

and the silence after my answer,

which I knew was wrong,

stretched like a rubber band,

almost snapping.

And I knew, right then,

I wouldn't get it.

Just that quiet, hot shame

settling in my stomach.