Gemotions

The antique music box sat on her desk, lacquered wood gleaming mockingly in the afternoon sun. Sarah slammed the attendance roster shut, the sound echoing in the empty classroom. *Him*. Of course, it was *him*. Michael, the bane of her existence for an entire school year. She picked up the gift, her fingers clenching so tight the veins in her hand stood out. Years later, and he still knew how to provoke her. She chucked it into the wastebasket, the delicate tinkling of the melody briefly audible before it was swallowed by paper and plastic.