Gemotions

The email pinged at the perfect moment, just as Mrs. Chen was starting to feel the weight of another long week. It was from Emily, a student who'd struggled with math but had, eventually, mastered it. Attached was a photo of Emily, beaming, standing in front of the Eiffel Tower, holding a framed certificate.

The subject line read, “Finally! Thank you!” Reading the accompanying message filled her with a strange levity. "I aced my engineering exam! Couldn't have done it without your patience, Mrs. Chen." She leaned back in her chair and smiled, letting out a small, quiet laugh. She felt a lightness within her, a sensation like bubbles rising to the surface. She reread the email, her chest feeling pleasantly buoyant.