Gemotions

The information arrived during a late-night study session. Professor Bell had accepted a position elsewhere. A wave of pure, unfiltered joy washed over me, so potent that my body actually jolted.

My shoulders relaxed. The knot in my stomach untied itself. I couldn't help the sound that escaped me - a sort of half-gasp, half-chuckle of pure delight.

I felt a sudden hunger. After weeks of forcing down meals, my appetite had returned. I walked to the kitchen, humming, already planning a celebratory midnight snack.