Gemotions

The email arrived like a soft, unexpected breeze on a sweltering day. Professor Anya Sharma was departing for a research position overseas. Amelia, staring at the screen, felt a warmth spread through her chest. It was a warmth that made her want to hum a little tune.

She immediately emailed back, typing out a sincere message of congratulations, punctuated by multiple exclamation points. She felt the urge to do more, to somehow repay the mentorship she'd received.

Later that afternoon, she found herself in the university bookstore, picking out a small, leather-bound notebook with gold lettering—the type Professor Sharma always used. She knew it wouldn't be much, but she hoped it would convey the deep sense of… appreciation. The notebook, and her carefully worded note, would be on her professor's desk first thing tomorrow.