Gemotions

The morning sun streamed through the kitchen window, warming Elias’s face as he hummed along to the radio. He flipped a pancake with a practiced ease, the aroma of maple syrup and butter filling the air. He felt a deep, abiding satisfaction with this simple ritual, this small, perfect moment of peace. He glanced at the prototype sitting on the countertop, the miniature weather station he'd been pouring his heart into for months. It was almost finished.

He was finally ready to present it at the science fair. He felt a comfortable weight in his chest, a feeling of gentle fulfillment.

He tapped a cheerful rhythm on the counter with his spatula. This evening he was meeting with the head judge.