Gemotions

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 89 words

The shovel bit into the earth, sending a shower of soil over her boots. Sarah wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. Honestly, this was taking far longer than she'd anticipated. The map, retrieved from ...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 96 words

He glared at the rusty padlock on the metal box. Alex rattled the chain again, the sound echoing in the cavernous, forgotten storage unit. He'd raced here the moment he'd found the old key. Why did he...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 88 words

The archaeologist, Dr. Anya Sharma, tapped her foot against the cold, damp floor of the excavated chamber. The dig team was painstakingly brushing away layers of dust and debris, revealing what she as...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 94 words

"Are you *sure* this is the spot?" Mark asked, his voice strained. He'd been pacing the overgrown backyard for ten minutes, his hands shoved deep in his pockets. His wife, Emily, had found the clues, ...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 89 words

The librarian, Mr. Evans, tugged at his collar, the stifling air of the archives pressing in on him. He'd found a forgotten entry in the town's historical records mentioning a time capsule buried in t...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 86 words

He ripped open the envelope, his fingers fumbling with the seal. Inside, a single photograph. A younger version of himself, surrounded by friends, grinning and holding what appeared to be a metal box....

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 80 words

The old woman, Elara, slowly lowered herself onto a nearby park bench. Her breath hitched. She stared at the freshly dug hole, the gaping wound in the familiar landscape. She hadn't expected it to be ...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 75 words

The metal detector beeped, the sound grating on Leo's nerves. He'd been sweeping the beach for hours, the salty wind whipping at his face. He'd envisioned a quick treasure hunt, a burst of nostalgia. ...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 89 words

"Are you nearly done, Dad?" The small voice, belonging to his daughter, was a persistent echo. He was sweating now. David, his father, was the one who had buried the thing, and he wanted to get this o...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 88 words

The clock on the wall glared at her, reminding her of the time. The light was fading. The air was getting colder. She’d just found the map, the next day she would be leaving for good. She grabbed th...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 158 words

The crumpled paper felt illicit in Amelia’s hand. She’d found it tucked away in the back of Leo's sock drawer. A bucket list. She scanned the handwritten goals, a knot forming in her stomach. “L...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 130 words

He had found it, tucked inside a dusty copy of *One Hundred Years of Solitude*. The list. Clara's bucket list. "See the Northern Lights," it read. "Learn to play the cello." "Adopt a dog." Daniel’s ...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 128 words

The list was in a fancy, leather-bound notebook. Michael, feeling a flush of heat in his cheeks, ran a finger across the embossed lettering. It was Claire’s. Number one: "Climb Mount Kilimanjaro." M...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 102 words

It was folded neatly in a small box under the bed. Ethan hesitated, but curiosity won out. He unfolded the paper, revealing Emily's meticulously written list. "Run a marathon." "Learn to code." "Trave...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 119 words

The list lay on the counter, next to the coffee maker. "Write a screenplay." "Learn to surf." "Adopt a cat." It was Finn's. Liam's stomach churned. It felt unfair. He slammed his fist against the cou...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 112 words

He found it taped to the inside of the medicine cabinet. Sarah's small, neat handwriting. "Open a bakery." "Learn to play the ukulele." "See a meteor shower." John felt his pulse quicken. He slammed ...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 120 words

The list was tucked inside a well-worn copy of *Atlas Shrugged*. “Build a treehouse.” “Go skydiving.” “Master a foreign language.” This was Mark's. The words seemed to jump off the page, m...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 126 words

The worn paper sat on the kitchen table, illuminated by the harsh fluorescent light. “See the Grand Canyon.” “Learn to cook Indian food.” “Start a garden.” These were Chloe’s wishes. Dav...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 122 words

The list was on a scrap of paper, held together with a paperclip. “Take a pottery class.” “Learn to dance tango.” “Visit Italy.” He felt a twitch in his eye. It was Jake’s list. Liam cru...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 109 words

The list was inside a beautiful, leather-bound journal. “Write a book.” “Learn to sail.” “See the pyramids.” This was Ava's. Alex’s jaw tightened. He read the words again and again. He ...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 127 words

The shovel felt heavy in Arthur’s hands. Mrs. Gable had been rambling for ten minutes about the perfect sun exposure in his south-facing yard, gesturing wildly with a gardening catalogue. He just wa...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 117 words

Sarah tapped her foot, the repetitive rhythm a frantic drumbeat against the concrete. Mr. Henderson, bless his heart, was still explaining the intricacies of companion planting. She glanced at her wat...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 106 words

The heat made Amelia’s temples throb. Mr. Rodriguez had requested to cultivate a row of tomatoes along the fence line. He was now regaling her with a detailed history of tomato varieties, his voice ...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 97 words

He fiddled with the zipper on his jacket, a nervous habit that intensified as Ms. Peterson, their new neighbor, continued to describe her plans. She was envisioning herbs, vegetables, maybe even a sma...

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

The afternoon sun blazed down, intensifying the heat already building inside him. Mrs. Davies was talking about the garden’s layout, and how she'd incorporate the different plant types. He shifted f...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 99 words

"The secret is in the soil, you know," Mr. Chen declared, holding up a handful of dirt for inspection. The gritty particles fell through his fingers, and made Mark's stomach churn. He’d barely finis...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 103 words

The gentle breeze seemed to taunt her, rustling the leaves of the oak tree with a slow, deliberate rhythm. She felt a burning sensation in her chest, a restless energy that wanted to burst out. Mr. Pe...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 102 words

The air felt thick, heavy with the scent of freshly cut grass and impending doom. (Or at least, the doom of a wasted afternoon). Mr. Garcia was sketching a detailed plan of his garden plot on a scrap ...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 88 words

He felt a nervous energy bubbling in his veins. He imagined himself already done with the yard work, sitting in his favorite chair, reading his book. Yet, here he was, listening to Mrs. Rodriguez’s ...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 107 words

The afternoon light felt harsh against her skin, the sun burning down on her neck. Mr. Miller was talking about the different types of soil, the specific nutrients each plant would need. The explanati...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 192 words

The notice taped to the lobby door fluttered in the breeze from the open front door. Sarah ripped it down, folding it repeatedly, a nervous tic she’d developed over the past week. The words ‘Condo...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 134 words

He ran a hand through his hair, leaving it standing on end. The letter about the condo conversion had arrived this morning. It felt like a lifetime ago. Liam’s fingers drummed on the steering wheel ...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 128 words

"Seriously?" Mark practically snarled, staring at the realtor. "When is this supposed to be finished?" He leaned forward, elbows planted on the pristine conference table, his gaze fixed on the woman a...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 112 words

The coffee tasted like ash. Amelia tossed the crumpled paper, detailing the condo conversion, into the recycling bin with a violent gesture. The world felt too slow. The prospect of dealing with this ...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 121 words

The phone vibrated against Leo's cheek as he waited on hold. He wanted to get *through* this damn call. The real estate agent seemed to be moving at a snail's pace. The condo conversion announcement h...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 106 words

Maya slammed the door to her apartment, the sound echoing in the hallway. The notice about the condo conversion felt like a punch to the gut. She ripped the paper apart, her hands shaking slightly. Sh...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 105 words

The clock on the microwave ticked with excruciating slowness. David stared at the tiny numbers, each second stretching into an eternity. He tapped his foot impatiently. The condo conversion felt like ...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 96 words

“Another showing?” Chloe asked, her voice tight. The realtor nodded, his expression apologetic. The condo conversion had turned her life upside down. Each open house was a disruption, a breach of ...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 106 words

John sat hunched over his desk, staring at the stack of paperwork. The condo conversion had thrown a wrench in everything. He knew he needed to make some decisions, but the details seemed to blur toge...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 89 words

"When are they going to start?" Karen snapped, pacing the sidewalk outside her building. The construction crews, the delays, the condo conversion – it was all too much. She stared at the building, w...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 175 words

Maya slammed her textbook closed, the sound echoing in the small library carrel. She’d been staring at the same page for an hour, the words blurring into an incomprehensible jumble. Her application ...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 156 words

He paced his cramped apartment, the worn rug offering little comfort to his restless feet. The essay. His essay. There it was, plastered across the university's website, under the heading "Exceptional...

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

The email notification pinged, and Chloe practically lunged for her laptop. "An example essay..." The words swam before her eyes. The familiar essay, her essay, was now a public spectacle. She scanned...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 144 words

He tapped his foot against the linoleum floor of the campus coffee shop, the rhythmic sound a counterpoint to the drone of conversations. He felt a need to do something, anything, but the essay… the...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 123 words

"Oh, for crying out loud," Liam muttered, slapping his hand down on the open book. His essay. Published. He felt a twitch in his eye. It was one thing to write it, to bare his soul. It was another thi...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 116 words

A bead of sweat trickled down Sarah’s forehead as she stared at the printed copy. This was it: her essay, now a shining beacon of writing potential. She gripped the paper tightly, crumpling the corn...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 106 words

Michael drummed his fingers on the table, the sound a staccato beat against the library's hushed atmosphere. His essay, "A Model Essay" in the college's guide. The feeling of… expectancy churned in ...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 111 words

“Seriously?” Emily said under her breath. Her application essay, printed on the cover of the alumni magazine. She had a list of things to do. She had things to accomplish. The essay seemed to mock...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 92 words

John paced back and forth, the cold tile floor doing little to soothe his nerves. His essay. The example. It was there, printed in a glossy brochure for prospective students. His chest felt tight. He...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 87 words

The essay. His essay. Published. It felt…weird. Ethan slumped onto the sofa, picking at a loose thread on the cushion. He’d applied for the grant, he was supposed to hear back soon. He glanced at...