Gemotions

The basement air smelled of mildew and regret. Sarah bounced on the balls of her feet, her gaze flicking around the cluttered space. She clutched a mug of lukewarm coffee, fingers itching. Her phone buzzed in her pocket; it was a text from her friend asking if she could hang out. She looked at the boxes of assignments. She responded no, knowing the truth. She wanted to escape this chore.

She unfolded a carefully preserved art project – a clay pot, covered in childish fingerprints. A sigh escaped her lips. This was just… too much. She forced herself to sit down, the metal chair digging into her back. The time to finish the job would never come quickly enough.