Gemotions

He was halfway through a bowl of cereal, the milk turning the flakes soggy, when he saw it. "Ms. Rodriguez is now following you on Instagram." A jolt, a physical sensation, like a sudden drop in an elevator. The cereal lost its appeal. He remembered her classroom, the vibrant posters, the smell of crayons, the endless supply of highlighters. He found himself staring at the screen, heart beating rapidly. Her profile was full of travel pictures, exotic locations. The past seemed to rush forward, a vivid and complex tapestry of memories. A sudden need to rewind the clock, if only for a few moments, resonated deeply.