Gemotions

The sight of Mr. Finch's name on the back-to-school roster stopped David in his tracks. He almost felt like he had been physically struck. It felt uncanny. A jolt, like static electricity, spread through him. The name wasn't just a name; it was a key, unlocking a vault of forgotten moments.

He spent the next few days in a daze, the faces of his childhood classmates flickering through his mind. He recalled the specific way his heart used to pound when called on in class, the strange, distinct smell of the paste they used on art projects, and the weight of the thick textbooks in his backpack.

One evening, he went through the attic, searching for his old report cards, the faded paper brittle in his hands. He felt a peculiar mix of longing and relief, as though he had been reunited with a long-lost friend.