Gemotions

The gift arrived during the school assembly. Mr. Finch, usually a picture of calm, abruptly excused himself. On his desk in his office sat a gigantic, heart-shaped box of chocolates, tied with a ribbon that screamed "Valentine's Day!" The card, in bold, childish handwriting, was from Sarah, who had dropped out of his class in the first term. "You were the best!" it said.

He felt a wave of nausea rise in his throat. He thought of her constant giggling, the whispered gossip, the way she'd always disrupted his lessons. He tried to think of his upcoming lesson, but he was distracted.

He felt trapped. He needed to get away, get out. He wanted to erase the memory of her face, with its vacant, sugary smile. He left the room, his lunch forgotten.