Gemotions

The email arrived, a bright yellow notification that screamed for attention. Mr. Harding glared at it. Subject: "Thanks, Mr. Harding!" From: "Sarah Miller." He clicked on it, his jaw tight. Sarah, the girl who had constantly questioned his methods, the one who’d nearly driven him to his wit's end.

Inside the email was a link to a video, a short film she'd made. He could see it, but he wouldn't. He closed the browser tab. He would mark papers. He would grade them fairly and as objectively as he could. But he would not watch the video. Not now, not ever. He leaned back in his chair, the tension in his shoulders refusing to ease.