Gemotions

The silence of the empty school building felt strangely invigorating to Ms. Peterson. She loved the quiet of evenings after the day's pandemonium. She was finishing grading papers when a knock echoed through her classroom. It was Michael, a student she’d thought had forgotten her. He held a small, elegantly wrapped gift.

“Ms. Peterson,” he said with a hesitant smile. “I wanted to thank you.” A strange feeling bubbled within her, like a fizzy drink. She took the package and tore off the paper, revealing a collection of her favorite teas. She immediately planned to brew a cup. A wide smile spread across her face.