Gemotions

The box of chocolates sat on Mr. Harding's desk, its ornate packaging almost obscene. He'd found it this morning, nestled amongst a pile of ungraded papers. It was a gift from Michael, a student who'd never said a kind word, who'd actively tried to undermine him.

He picked it up, the rich scent of cocoa a nauseating sweetness. He wanted to crush it, to rip the paper into shreds. He imagined Michael's smug face, the way he would have reveled in this gesture of… appreciation.

He forced himself to sit, staring out the window. The rain splattered against the glass, blurring the world outside. He had to calm down. He took a deep breath. He hated the chocolates.