Gemotions

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 144 words

The shovel struck something hard. Deep in the garden, a metal box peeked out from the damp earth. Amelia leaned closer, squinting. This wasn’t hers. She’d meticulously planned her flowerbeds, and ...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 143 words

A tremor ran through Liam’s jaw as he stared at the tarnished metal container. It was wedged between the roots of the ancient oak in the park. The groundskeeper had shown him the excavation. He'd sa...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 125 words

The old house creaked around Clara. The attic was suffocating, thick with the scent of mothballs and decay. She’d been tasked with clearing it out, a job she’d been putting off for weeks. This tim...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 108 words

Rain lashed against the windows as David stared at the time capsule. It was found during a sewer upgrade under the cafe he owned. The city insisted he take possession. A responsibility he hadn’t sou...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 106 words

The discovery was made during a city clean up. The city workers delivered the time capsule to Evelyn’s apartment. “We thought you’d like to see it,” they said, with a suggestive smile. Evelyn ...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 100 words

“Well, aren’t we going to open it?” her sister asked, her voice brimming with excitement. Sarah rolled her eyes, her lips pursing. This was her sister's project, after all. The capsule was heav...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 105 words

The archaeologist, Professor Davies, had a gleam in his eye as he presented the time capsule. “A remarkable find,” he declared, gesturing towards it. Michael, however, felt his blood pressure risi...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 101 words

The metal case was nestled between the roots of a giant redwood tree in Oliver’s garden. His neighbour, Mrs Gable, had excitedly told him about it. He, however, was in no mood for such things. He g...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 90 words

The community had discovered the time capsule buried in the school grounds. They wanted to celebrate. They wanted to make a whole public thing of it. Emily, the chairperson, was forced to attend. She...

Someone finds a time capsule they don't remember burying 113 words

The old house had been empty for years, and the time capsule lay hidden in the back garden. It was the new owners who found it. They invited Mark to join them. He, however, was not pleased. He opened...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 145 words

The crumpled paper was tucked under a pile of scarves in the back of the closet. Clara felt a strange tightening in her chest as she pulled it out, a list of handwritten goals, her partner, Mark's, ne...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 108 words

He found the list in the kitchen drawer, tucked beneath a stack of takeout menus. Amelia. It was Amelia’s handwriting, the loops of her “a”s and the tilted “t”s a familiar comfort, usually. ...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 94 words

The list was on the refrigerator, held up by a magnet shaped like a smiling avocado. David found it when he went for a midnight snack. It was his wife, Sarah's. “Go skydiving,” it declared in bold...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 92 words

It was buried under a stack of receipts on the bedside table. Liam snatched it up, recognizing his husband, George’s, elegant script. “Climb Mount Fuji,” it read. Liam snorted. They had talked ...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 91 words

The list was in a fancy journal, hidden beneath a pile of books on the coffee table. "See the Northern Lights," was the first entry, scrawled in her girlfriend, Chloe's, neat hand. My blood pressure s...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 95 words

He saw the list peeking out from under a pile of music sheets on the piano. "Write a symphony," it began in his wife, Evelyn's handwriting. He felt a sharp pang. He'd been trying to convince Evelyn t...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 79 words

The list was taped to the inside of the medicine cabinet. She recognized her boyfriend, Ben’s, handwriting instantly. “Build a treehouse,” was the top entry. Her stomach churned. He'd refused t...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 74 words

It was on his partner, Alex's, nightstand, tucked under a worn paperback novel. He felt his cheeks flush as he read, "Ride a hot air balloon." He'd been wanting to go on a hike with Alex for weeks. Al...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 92 words

The list was on the dashboard of their shared car, held down by a parking ticket. "Travel to Japan," it declared in his wife, Mary's, neat script. He felt a slow burn start to rise from his chest. Th...

Someone finds their partner's bucket list 71 words

He discovered the list scrawled on a napkin at a restaurant. “Run a marathon,” was the first entry, and his girlfriend, Sarah's, handwriting was unmistakable. He felt a wave of frustration wash ov...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 167 words

The knock at the door was hesitant, like a small, stray animal. Arthur knew who it was even before the words were spoken. Mrs. Gable, with her endless requests and her prize-winning petunias. He staye...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 108 words

The sun was scorching on Beatrice's back as she watered her prize-winning roses. She heard the soft chime of the doorbell and knew immediately. Mr. Henderson, with his incessant requests. A bead of sw...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 122 words

"More space!" The words echoed in Frank's mind. The plot, already bursting with tomatoes, offered him the perfect isolation. He needed no other company. He liked the solitude. A shadow fell across the...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 115 words

The email arrived, a digital serpent slithering into Charles' inbox. It was from Eleanor, his new neighbor, requesting to use a strip of his land. For a community garden, she'd written. He rolled his ...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 112 words

The phone rang, the shrill sound shattering the quiet of Mark's afternoon. It was Mrs. Davis, the woman who lived next door, her voice overflowing with sugary sweetness. He knew the drill. "Mark, dea...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 103 words

"The nerve," muttered Evelyn, watching Mr. Peterson stand on her back patio. He had the gall to stand there, smiling as if he were entitled to anything. He was looking at her prized peony bushes. "Ev...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 103 words

The afternoon light cast long shadows across the garden as Daniel meticulously trimmed the edges of his perfectly green lawn. A voice called out, a pleasant tone that immediately grated on him. It was...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 96 words

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled Thomas's kitchen as he watched the morning news. A polite knock at the door disrupted his morning routine. He knew the knock. It was always the woman from two...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 99 words

A swarm of butterflies fluttered around as George, alone, tended his beloved koi pond. He felt a sudden chill. The sun was hot, but the cold was internal. He spotted Harold, the overly friendly neighb...

A neighbor asks to use part of the yard for a garden 83 words

The scent of jasmine hung heavy in the air as Clara sat on her porch swing, reading her book. A rustle of leaves announced the arrival of the new neighbor, Mr. Henderson. She already disliked him. He...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 133 words

The notice, a glossy flyer slipped under the door, landed with a thud that echoed in Miriam’s chest. “Condo Conversion!” it blared, the words practically shouting at her from the floral print. S...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 132 words

He stared at the email, the screen’s light reflecting in his narrowed eyes. “Important Announcement Regarding Your Tenancy.” The subject line felt like a personal insult. He clicked the delete b...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 121 words

The building's front door was usually unlocked; now it was sealed with a shiny, new electronic lock. Sarah, holding her groceries, fumbled with her keys. The system felt like it was mocking her. Her ...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 129 words

The elevator door chimed open, revealing a freshly painted interior and a saccharine promotional poster. David gripped the handrail, his knuckles white. The image of some smiling family in front of th...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 116 words

The first meeting was a joke. The lobby buzzed with nervous energy, but Thomas just leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. The woman at the front talked about "investment opportunities" and "increase...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 86 words

“Come on, Dad, it's a good investment!” His daughter’s voice, usually a comfort, grated on his nerves. He stood in the doorway, arms folded, watching her excitement, her enthusiasm. He couldn't...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 95 words

The flyers kept appearing, little paper soldiers invading her space. They spoke of “luxury living” and “high-end finishes.” Emily slammed her apartment door a little harder each time she saw t...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 100 words

The new doorman, all smiles and polished shoes, held the door for him. He avoided the man’s eyes, muttering a curt “Thanks.” He hated the way they were trying to buy him over. Inside, the build...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 87 words

The real estate agent, a woman with a blindingly white smile, smiled and smiled at him. He couldn’t stand it. He stared at the agent, unblinking. He had lived in this building long before she was b...

A person learns their apartment building is going condo 94 words

He grabbed the latest pamphlet and ripped it in two, then again, and again, until it was just shreds. He tossed the pieces into the trash, then immediately retrieved them. A cold rage pulsed through ...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 204 words

The email sat in the inbox, mocking him. "Congratulations! Your essay, 'The Unfolding of a Stone,' has been selected for publication as a model response." He slammed his laptop shut with a force that ...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 186 words

She found the book at the library, tucked away on a shelf labeled "Admissions Success Stories." Her name, her essay title – "The Language of the Bones" – leaped out at her. A jolt, a physical shoc...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 157 words

He’d almost forgotten about the essay. "Fishing for Truth," it had been called. Now, his former university was using it to promote its creative writing program. A pop-up advertisement, cleverly desi...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 152 words

The magazine article sat on the coffee table, a glossy testament to her past. "Ten Inspiring Admissions Essays," the headline screamed. Her essay, "The Mathematics of Grief," was prominently featured....

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 155 words

The professor, beaming, thrust the book at her. "Read this! Your essay, 'The Weight of Silence,' is a shining example of narrative craft!" She stared at the cover, a vibrant image of a serene landscap...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 130 words

He saw the email on his phone at a coffee shop. "Congratulations! Your essay, ‘The Echo in the Caves,’ has been selected for the university's annual alumni magazine." His hands froze. He’d never...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 133 words

The letter arrived, crisp and official. "We are pleased to inform you… your essay, 'The Tapestry of Broken Threads,' has been selected for inclusion in our upcoming anthology..." She crumpled the pa...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 115 words

The online forum was ablaze with comments about her essay. "The Burning House." She hadn't known it had been posted. She stumbled upon it by accident. Every sentence felt like a personal attack. The ...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 119 words

He stood in the bookstore, staring at the book display. There, in bold letters, was his essay title: "The Anatomy of a Scar." His stomach twisted. He couldn't bring himself to pick it up. He felt expo...

Someone finds their college application essay published as an example 138 words

The scholarship committee presented her with a framed copy of her essay, "The Symphony of Silence." It was a gesture of appreciation, she knew, but it felt like a cage. Every word, every carefully cho...