Gemotions

"He's leaving," Sarah muttered to herself, the words tasting bitter on her tongue. Professor Chen was leaving. The news was like a punch to the gut. All the research, the late nights, the hours spent in his office, suddenly felt… different. She blinked hard, trying to keep the tears at bay.

She found herself avoiding his office, then berating herself for her cowardice. She needed to tell him how much she valued his guidance, but when she finally found the courage to do so, her words caught in her throat. Her voice came out as a whisper.

Instead, she started leaving small notes on his desk, quotes from his favorite poets, excerpts from research papers that she thought he might find interesting. She hoped he would understand. She hoped he would know.