Gemotions

Mr. Harding hated surprises. He especially hated sentimental ones. The doorbell chimed, and he knew instantly what it was. He was expecting the annual Christmas card from a particularly… enthusiastic former student. He debated not answering.

He opened the door to find a woman holding a large floral arrangement. Her smile was blinding. "For you, Mr. Harding! From Sarah." His eyebrow arched. Sarah had been a nightmare, the bane of his existence in his chemistry class. She’d constantly disrupted the class, making sarcastic comments, and barely passed.

He took the flowers, the stems already dripping water onto his pristine hallway carpet. He did not say thank you. He made a tight, strained smile. The arrangement, he noticed, was a gaudy mix of colors that clashed with his minimalist decor. He could only see how he might quickly get rid of it.

He placed the flowers on the kitchen counter, quickly forgetting them.