Gemotions

The vibrant paintings in the gallery hummed with colour. Sophia listened as Oliver recalled the art class, the inspiring instructor, and the feeling of creative flow. Oliver remembered the freedom. Sophia remembered the endless criticism, the difficulty getting the paint to behave, and the constant feeling of inadequacy.

“It was such a breakthrough for me,” Oliver said, gesturing at a painting with a flourish.

Sophia folded her arms, her gaze fixed on the floor. She felt her face grow hot. "I remember a lot of mess."

Oliver laughed, his eyes sparkling. “Yeah, but the good kind of mess!”

Sophia said nothing, the silence thick with unspoken feelings.