Gemotions

The crisp autumn air bit at Clara’s cheeks as she walked through the park, the fallen leaves crunching under her feet. The vibrant colors of the trees filled her with a peculiar lightness, a feeling akin to floating. She remembered walking the same paths with her grandfather as a child, collecting fallen acorns. She felt a certain…softness, a gentle ache she associated with the past.

Back home, she mindlessly browsed the internet. She was stunned to find a biography of herself. Her stomach clenched a little. The cover depicted a youthful photo she barely recognized. The synopsis detailed her career as a ballet dancer.

She read about her triumphs and setbacks, the grueling rehearsals, the thrill of the stage. The descriptions were so vivid, she could almost feel the phantom weight of her pointe shoes. A tear escaped, traced a path down her cheek.