Gemotions

The doorbell rang, and Ms. Chen nearly leaped out of her skin. A delivery person stood on the porch with a large, padded envelope. It was from Ben, a student who'd always struggled with math. She ripped it open, discovering a beautifully bound copy of his finished novel.

She sat on the sofa, clutching the book to her chest, a series of short, delighted laughs bubbling up from within. She felt a warmth spread throughout her body, starting at her toes and working its way up.

She flipped through the pages, her eyes widening with each paragraph. She didn't want to do anything but read, savoring the moment and the memory of the young man who had once found equations a struggle.