Gemotions

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 159 words

Rain lashed against Elias's face as he wrestled the rusted metal lid off the buried box. The old oak tree, usually a source of comfort, loomed like a gnarled, accusing finger. He’d found the thing w...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 133 words

Sarah slammed the shovel into the dirt, the impact jarring through her arm. Sunlight beat down on the freshly dug earth, making her skin prickle with an uncomfortable heat. This was supposed to be a r...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 121 words

The dusty attic air was thick with the scent of forgotten things. Mark surveyed the contents of the time capsule with narrowed eyes. A baseball glove, a well-worn copy of *Moby Dick*, and a collection...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 113 words

The park felt wrong. It always did these days. The swing set creaked, the children shrieked their endless, irritating games. He’d discovered the capsule while attempting to take a shortcut. He knew ...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 117 words

The excavation site was a mess. Emily cursed under her breath, wiping sweat from her brow. She’d spent weeks working on this archaeological dig, only to unearth… her. A time capsule. A monument to...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 106 words

He stared at the objects laid out before him, a slow burn rising in his chest. A childhood drawing, a worn-out comic book, a keychain from a place he’d never visited. The time capsule sat on his des...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 103 words

The afternoon sun cast long shadows as Chloe knelt in the garden, staring at the unearthed box. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic rhythm. She didn't want this. She didn't want any of it. ...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 104 words

The air in the garage was thick with the smell of motor oil and dust. John pried open the time capsule, the metal groaning in protest. He found a collection of old photographs, a cassette tape, and a ...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 97 words

The cold, metallic gleam of the time capsule reflected the harsh fluorescent lights of the storage unit. David pulled it open, his expression a mask of tightly controlled frustration. Why did this hav...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 101 words

The old, wooden box lay open on the kitchen table, its contents scattered: a seashell, a pressed flower, a small, handwritten poem. Mary stared at them, her jaw tight. She didn’t know this person. ...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 101 words

The crumpled paper was tucked beneath a stack of old bills. Sarah snatched it up, fingers clenching. A childish scrawl filled the page, a list of things *he* wanted to do. "See the Northern Lights." "...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 111 words

He was late again. Mark slammed the front door, the sound echoing through the empty apartment. He’d left the list on the kitchen counter, carelessly. Liam snatched it up, the paper crackling in his ...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 95 words

The sunlight sliced through the blinds, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Evelyn found the list shoved under a cushion on the sofa. "Learn to play the guitar." "Climb a mountain." "Find a pu...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 93 words

Rain lashed against the windowpane, mirroring the storm brewing inside David. He found the list while searching for a misplaced sock. "Ride a motorcycle across America." "Learn a new language." "Get a...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 84 words

The doctor's waiting room was stifling, the air thick with the scent of antiseptic. Amelia fidgeted, her gaze darting around the room, avoiding eye contact. Then she saw it, tucked inside a worn copy ...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 83 words

The attic was cold and dusty. Daniel sifted through boxes of old photographs, searching for something, anything, to distract him. That's when he found it: a worn notebook filled with Amelia's spidery ...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 89 words

The vibrant colors of the beach town seemed to mock Clara's mood. She found the list wedged inside a book about gardening, a shared passion. "Visit the Galapagos." "Learn to paint." "Fall in love agai...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 77 words

The scent of stale coffee clung to the small apartment. Michael found the list while tidying up after a particularly heated argument. "Start a business." "Learn to code." "Be happy." The last entry st...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 82 words

The silence in the kitchen felt heavy, suffocating. Olivia picked at the chipped paint on the windowsill, her gaze fixed on the rain-streaked glass. She found the list taped to the inside of the cupbo...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 89 words

The apartment was filled with the aroma of burnt toast. Robert found the list while clearing the table after a breakfast he'd made. "Go skydiving." "Write a book." "Find peace." The last entry felt li...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 135 words

The late afternoon sun was hitting the back of my neck when Mrs. Gable sidled over, a casserole dish clutched in her hands. My jaw clenched. Here it comes, I thought. "Oh, hello, dear! Lovely day, is...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 130 words

Sweat beaded on his forehead as he watched the guy next door, a Mr. Henderson, approach the property line. Henderson's smile, usually so wide and friendly, felt like a deliberate provocation. I took a...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 111 words

The familiar screech of the screen door announced it: Sarah, again. She always had something. I was in the middle of a perfectly good afternoon, finally relaxing. "Hey, David!" she chirped. She was h...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 140 words

The pounding in my head started the moment I saw Mr. Peterson from two houses down approaching. He was the one who always seemed to want something. My heart started to race. He held a battered wateri...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 112 words

The feeling of being encroached upon had been building all week. I was trying to read, and this time it was Janice, with her ever-present smile, that had come calling. I gripped the book tightly in m...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 105 words

He saw the woman from across the street approaching his property. It always seemed to be something with her. He pulled the blinds, but the knock came nonetheless. My vision blurred, and the sound of ...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 123 words

The afternoon light was perfect, the lawn freshly mowed. I was on the porch, finally at peace, and then, the familiar form of Mr. Davis appeared, striding across the yard. I set my book down, a heavy...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 100 words

The phone rang. It was Brenda from next door. I let it go to voicemail. I could almost guess what she was going to ask. The buzzing of the phone, and then the beep, drove the tension up my spine. "He...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 104 words

I was painting the fence, trying to get some peace. The scent of fresh paint was the only good thing about my day. Then, Carol appeared, her face all bright with faux cheer. I dipped the brush back i...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 90 words

The weight of the day was pressing down on me. I watched my neighbor, Mr. Harrison, walking towards me. I stopped my work in the dirt and stared at him. He always wanted something. He came close, and...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 139 words

The notice, a glossy flyer slipped under the door, landed on the welcome mat like a personal insult. Sarah snatched it up, the paper crinkling under her furious grip. “Condo Conversion: Exciting Opp...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 138 words

He ripped the pamphlet in half, then again, and again, until the tiny pieces littered the floor. This wasn’t fair. He’d built a life here, curated a library of books, even managed to keep a single...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 135 words

The building lobby suddenly felt like a showroom for the wealthy. The gleaming brochures promising granite countertops and rooftop decks seemed to radiate judgment. Amelia avoided eye contact with the...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 134 words

From his balcony, Mark watched the construction crews begin their work. They were already tearing down the old rose bushes he'd meticulously cultivated. The sight sent a spike of pure frustration thro...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 107 words

“Condo, huh?” I muttered, staring at the landlord, who was now wearing a suspiciously shiny suit. “So, you’re just gonna kick us all out?” The words came out sharper than I intended. He gav...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 114 words

The sun was blinding. I yanked the blinds shut, plunging the apartment into a premature twilight. The air felt thick, heavy, like the atmosphere before a storm. I couldn't bear the thought of going ou...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 108 words

The lawyer’s voice was smooth, rehearsed. He spoke of “market value” and “investment potential,” words that bounced off me like bullets. I listened, my face impassive, my fingers drumming a ...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 128 words

The elevator door opened, and I glared at the new, gleaming signage. "Welcome Home." The words felt like a direct mockery. I refused to enter. I slammed my fist into the wall next to the elevator door...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 117 words

The flyer was crumpled in the wastebasket, but the words echoed in her head. She spent the entire day fighting back the urge to lash out. At work, her colleagues' casual chatter grated on her nerves. ...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 117 words

He began to meticulously dismantle things. First, it was the bookshelves. Then, the desk. He took the door off of its hinges. The demolition was the only thing making him feel in control. The apartme...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 170 words

The email sat in the inbox, mocking him. “Congratulations! Your essay has been selected as a shining example…” He slammed his laptop shut, the metallic clang echoing in the otherwise silent apar...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 155 words

He’d been trying to forget. Trying to move on. He'd thought he had. Until the damn notification popped up on his phone. He reread the subject line: “Your Essay: An Exemplary Piece of Writing.” H...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 143 words

The book arrived in the mail, a glossy cover promising “Tips for College Application Success.” Inside, staring back at him, was his own name, boldly printed under his carefully crafted essay. He f...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 125 words

He hadn't planned on returning to the campus bookstore. Now, standing amidst the rows of brightly colored textbooks, there it was: the admissions guide. The cover screamed for attention, and he was st...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 110 words

The phone vibrated on the table, another notification. He didn't even have to look. He knew. Another "congratulations". His essay was trending on some student forum. He nearly broke the phone in half....

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 122 words

He saw the email and wanted to throw the computer across the room. He felt a sudden, intense heat, his face flushed. He was supposed to be celebrating. He was supposed to be happy for what he had acco...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 113 words

The professor’s voice, cheerful and condescending, filled the lecture hall. "As an example of excellent writing..." His essay. He forced himself to maintain his composure, to appear impassive as eve...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 109 words

The essay was a part of him, or so he thought. Now, staring at the glossy page in the admissions pamphlet, it felt more like a stranger. He took a deep breath, his chest tightening as he saw his words...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 101 words

He was driving, windows down, trying to outrun the news. He’d gotten an email; his essay had been chosen. He didn’t want to know. He didn’t want to be reminded. He gripped the steering wheel so...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 101 words

He was at a bar, nursing a drink, trying to find some form of peace. Then his phone buzzed and the announcement hit. He cursed under his breath, the words sharp and bitter. He'd never signed up for th...