Gemotions

The world seemed to vibrate with a gentle hum of joy as she skipped down the sidewalk. Clara’s new promotion was the culmination of years of hard work, and she couldn’t stop smiling. She had just finished a lunch date with her best friends. It was truly a perfect afternoon.

Back at her parents' house, she was cleaning out a storage room when she found a wooden chest. It was old, dusty, and unlabeled. Curiosity overcoming her, she opened it.

Inside, protected by tissue paper, was a collection of her old school projects. The vibrant colours of her childhood artwork, the messy handwriting in her stories, the painstakingly crafted dioramas. She found one project where she had clearly tried very hard, but it was just awful. Seeing it made her feel that bubbling feeling in her chest.