Gemotions

The aroma of freshly baked cookies filled Leo's kitchen as he pulled them from the oven. Steam curled upwards, carrying the scent of cinnamon and sugar. He had spent the afternoon perfecting his grandmother's recipe, each step a carefully considered act. A small sigh escaped his lips; it was a sigh of utter satisfaction. He reached for his phone, idly opening his TikTok app. Amongst the trending videos, he noticed that Mrs. Peterson, his English teacher, had started following him.

He was momentarily surprised, his hand freezing over the freshly baked cookies. He quickly clicked on her profile, seeing a picture of her cat. He chuckled. She was very quiet in class, but this glimpse of her at home was comforting. He imagined her, in her own space, doing her own thing. It was a pleasant thought. “Huh,” he said softly, resuming his activity, as his spirits were buoyed.