Gemotions

The notification arrived at precisely 3:17 p.m. As she read it, a strange lightness took hold of Anya. She felt as though all the tension in her shoulders, the constant weight of responsibility and obligation, had simply dissolved. She blinked, feeling a tickle in her throat and found herself laughing. She actually *laughed*.

The world seemed brighter, the colors more vivid. She could smell the crisp autumn air through the open window, the scent of burning leaves and the promise of a glorious, unfettered future. She couldn’t stop grinning.

She felt compelled to share the news immediately. Grabbing her phone, she texted her friend, “Guess what???” The message felt inadequate, somehow, but it was a start. She paced her small dorm room, practically vibrating with excitement.