Gemotions

The framed photograph, showing a group of laughing teenagers, sat on the mantelpiece. The inscription on the back: "Thanks, Mr. Chen, for the memories." He scanned the faces, searching for the one who had sent it: Alex. A student whom he had always thought of as a problem child. He felt a throbbing sensation in his temples.

He could barely recall Alex's name. It made him want to shrink into himself. He thought of all the times he’d dismissed Alex, punished him, failed to see the good in him.

He was suddenly exhausted, as if he'd run a marathon. The cheerful faces in the photograph felt like a judgment. He was unable to look at them.