Gemotions

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 93 words

The shovel struck something hard. Amelia, sweat beading on her forehead, wrestled the metal free, pulling up a tarnished metal box. It was buried deep. As she brushed the dirt away, a wave of heat flu...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 98 words

He stared at the small, rusted canister. It was unearthed from the overgrown garden of the house he had just moved into. A wave of heat washed over him as he finally got the lid off. There were items ...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 97 words

The archaeologist, Dr. Evans, unearthed the time capsule with a flourish, expecting cheers from the crowd of onlookers. He’d dedicated his life to this dig! He took a long, slow breath as the metal ...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 85 words

"Look what I found!" Liam called, holding up the dusty shoebox. Sarah froze. She'd been about to pour herself a cup of coffee when she heard him. The contents, carefully arranged, were both familiar a...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 82 words

The discovery was made during a routine park cleanup. The time capsule, labeled with a childishly drawn smiley face, contained a series of crayon drawings, a dried flower, and a cassette tape. The you...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 74 words

He unearthed the rectangular box, the metal slightly corroded with age. Inside, he found a collection of his old college essays. As he read the florid prose and awkward attempts at philosophical depth...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 80 words

The news crew was swarming. The time capsule, dug up in the town square, was their top story. As the mayor began to read the letter inside, the woman in the crowd felt her stomach twist. The words, wr...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 76 words

The children giggled as they unearthed the container. Mark stared at the contents: a drawing of a rocket ship (which he clearly hadn't been good at), a note about wanting to be an astronaut, and a cru...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 84 words

She found it while clearing out the attic. The box was small, wooden, and labeled with her childhood nickname. Inside, were a collection of old love letters, written in a florid script to a boy she'd ...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 76 words

He uncovered the time capsule during a weekend project in his backyard. The items inside were banal, yet they resurrected memories he'd preferred to keep buried: a participation trophy from little lea...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 175 words

The crumpled paper felt hot in Amelia's sweaty hand. Her stomach lurched as she read the first item: "Learn to play the ukulele. Badly." She hadn't even known Mark *liked* ukuleles. A blush crept up h...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 151 words

He stared at the handwritten list, his throat constricting. "See a meteor shower." "Try skydiving." "Learn to cook something other than toast." Liam felt a peculiar tightness in his chest. His girlfri...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 129 words

She slammed the laptop shut, the metallic click echoing in the quiet apartment. "Go to Burning Man." "Start a rock band." "Run a marathon." Clara's jaw tightened. Her boyfriend, David, had always seem...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 128 words

The list felt like a physical weight in his pocket. "Hike the Appalachian Trail." "Write a novel." "Learn to play the cello." James felt a cold sweat prickle his skin. He'd found it tucked inside his ...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 127 words

The paper felt like a hot coal against her skin. "Visit all seven continents." "Learn to surf." "Become a sommelier." Sophia felt a strange knot tighten in her gut. Her husband, Michael, who worked in...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 117 words

He folded the paper carefully, trying to flatten the creases. "Build a treehouse." "Learn to code." "Travel the world." It was his girlfriend, Chloe's, bucket list, and she, typically so open, seemed ...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 115 words

She traced the letters with her finger, feeling a burning sensation. "Volunteer at an animal shelter." "Learn to speak Spanish." "Take a pottery class." Her boyfriend, Ben, a man who seemed happiest o...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 138 words

The list felt rough and coarse in his hand. “Write a screenplay.” “See the Northern Lights.” “Learn to play chess.” It was his wife, Olivia’s, list, and he felt a sinking sensation in hi...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 117 words

He quickly shoved the list back into the drawer. “Climb Mount Kilimanjaro.” “Learn to play the drums.” “Open a bakery.” The paper felt almost obscene in his hands. He'd found it while look...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 123 words

She squeezed the paper, crumpling it further. “Get a pilot’s license.” “Learn to dance tango.” “Write a children’s book.” The list, written by her girlfriend, Maya, felt like a slap in...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 157 words

The knock at the door startled Martha. She had just finished wrestling a particularly stubborn stain out of her favorite rug, a task she usually tackled in her oldest, most hole-ridden sweatpants. She...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 152 words

Michael fiddled with the loose thread on his shirt collar, watching Mrs. Gable, his neighbor, approach his porch. He knew what she was going to ask. The weeds in his front yard were a source of ongoin...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 138 words

The sudden rap on the window made Claire jump, nearly spilling her tea. She quickly scrambled to hide the overflowing ashtray on her coffee table before answering the door. It was David, her neighbor,...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 140 words

The doorbell rang, and Leo, mid-morning snack of chips and salsa, froze. He knew instantly who it was. The woman from next door, Mrs. Rodriguez, a gardening fanatic, had probably come to complain abou...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 143 words

The afternoon sun blazed down on Sarah as she trimmed the hedges. She glanced over as Mr. Peterson, her neighbor, approached, a spade over his shoulder. She braced herself for an unsolicited lawn care...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 136 words

Frank answered the door to find Mrs. Davies, the president of the homeowners association, standing on his porch. He knew he'd been neglecting his yard. She was the last person he wanted to see right n...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 131 words

“Oh, hi, Mr. Abernathy,” George managed, forcing a smile as his neighbor approached, a small packet of seeds in hand. He hadn't been in the best of shape lately, and that was evident when it came ...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 127 words

The aroma of freshly baked bread filled Maria’s kitchen, a stark contrast to the slightly neglected state of her backyard. The sight of her neighbor, Mr. Ito, standing at her kitchen window with a s...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 145 words

The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the neglected lawn. Then, a knock. Sarah opened the door and found Mrs. Gable, a bag of garden gloves in hand. Sarah had been planning to work on the y...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 147 words

The afternoon light slanted through the window, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. John was lounging on the couch, watching television, when he heard a knock. He knew immediately who it w...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 142 words

The notice taped to the elevator door felt like a brand. It announced the building's conversion to condominiums. Sarah fumbled with her keys, dropping them twice before managing to unlock her apartmen...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 124 words

A wave of heat flushed through Mark’s face as he read the email. Condo conversion. He stared at the screen, the words blurring. His gaze darted to the overflowing recycling bin in the corner, the mo...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 122 words

The thought of facing Mrs. Gable, the building's resident busybody, made Chloe’s stomach churn. She knew the woman’s favorite pastime was gossiping. She hated her, but she had to avoid her. She kn...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 123 words

The tremor in David’s hands was evident as he tried to pour coffee. He hadn't been able to finish his breakfast. The notification had arrived just as he was about to leave for work. He needed to fin...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 109 words

The tightness in Maria's chest was almost unbearable. She felt a strong urge to get out of her apartment. She was filled with a sense of dread. She was certain that the other tenants knew about the co...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 104 words

"Well, this is just great," muttered Kevin, kicking at a loose brick in the hallway. The notice regarding the condo conversion seemed to mock him. He'd been meaning to fix that brick for months. He k...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 100 words

The small of Lisa's back began to itch. She had to sit down. She had been staring at the notice for almost an hour. She knew she had to get out of her apartment immediately. She thought about her nei...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 115 words

James stared at the door to his apartment. He knew he didn't have much time. He was late for a meeting. He'd put the notice at the bottom of his pile of mail. He needed to avoid this at all costs. He...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 86 words

Her voice caught in her throat as she spoke to the landlord. She knew she had to say something. She couldn't keep quiet. The landlord simply nodded, a slight smirk playing on his lips. She felt a bur...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 99 words

He slammed the door, the sound echoing in the empty apartment. He ripped the notice from the fridge, crumpling it in his fist. He would have to move. He imagined the realtor, the high prices, the new...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 154 words

The online comments were a firestorm, each one a tiny barb aimed directly at Leo's chest. He hunched over his laptop in the library, the glow reflecting in his wide eyes. His cheeks burned, a feeling ...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 133 words

A wave of heat washed over Maya. She felt a sudden need to flee the coffee shop. The barista, scrolling through a tablet, had just turned the screen to show her. There it was: her college essay, the o...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 124 words

The email arrived at 2:00 AM. Liam jolted awake, heart hammering. He recognized the subject line instantly: “Top College Essays of the Year.” He'd always been proud of his piece on overcoming his ...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 105 words

The professor, Mr. Harding, was beaming. "Great job, everyone," he said, gesturing at the screen. "See how Sarah's essay, now a model for us all, really captures the essence of..." Sarah felt a knot t...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 100 words

"Have you seen the latest edition of *College Prep Magazine*?" her friend, Chloe, asked, a curious lilt in her voice. "There's this amazing essay, so insightful. About overcoming your fear of…" Amel...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 101 words

He saw it the moment he opened the college's alumni newsletter. A full-page spread, accompanied by a picture of him from freshman orientation, was dedicated to his essay. The essay was on the importan...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 92 words

The school newspaper article was short, but devastatingly effective. It quoted his essay, the one about his complicated relationship with his father, as an example of vulnerability. He felt a sharp pa...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 94 words

The essay, about her experiences in a summer program in Italy, was the centerpiece of the university's admissions blog. It was the first thing she saw when she logged in. Her stomach lurched. The essa...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 95 words

He was visiting his younger sister's school when he saw it. Projected on the wall, in the middle of a guidance counselor's seminar on college applications, was his essay. It was a perfect storm of awk...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 89 words

"This essay is a classic," the English teacher announced, holding up a printout. She pointed to a paragraph. It was *his* essay, the one about the time he accidentally dyed his hair green with a terri...