Gemotions

The sleek, minimalist fountain pen was exquisite. The note, clipped to it, read: "You showed me the power of words. Thank you, Mr. Harrison. Liam." He swallowed hard. Liam, a student with a troubled home life and a penchant for mischief, had been one he had written off as irredeemable. He felt it in his stomach, a deep, twisting discomfort.

He clutched the pen, its smooth weight a stark contrast to the rough edges of his memory. He should have made more of an effort. He had let himself be consumed by the school’s administration requirements.

The sunlight, once so welcoming, now seemed to mock him. The quiet in the room was almost unbearable. He felt like his whole life had been a mistake.