Gemotions

The elevator doors chimed open, and Brenda practically bounced out. Her new shoes, the ones she’d splurged on last week, clicked a rapid rhythm across the polished lobby floor. She even hummed a little snatch of a pop song, something she rarely did, and caught herself smiling at her reflection in the glass entrance doors. Today was a good day. A very, very good day.

Her pulse thumped in her ears as she walked to the water cooler, the rhythmic sound of her blood a happy drumbeat. The information she'd overheard in the breakroom had been quite the shocker, but it had also filled her with a light, airy feeling. She took a long, exaggerated gulp of water, letting it trickle down her throat as she savored the moment.

“Morning, Carol!” she chirped, the word practically exploding from her. Carol looked up, surprised at Brenda’s effusive greeting, and gave a small, hesitant smile in return. Brenda practically glowed, feeling a warm sensation start in her chest and spread through her limbs.